Is Mbekezeli Mbokazi ready to lead Orlando Pirates? PSL title-winning skipper weighs in - ‘You only know when you’re thrown in at the deep end’

Mbekezeli Mbokazi was given a taste of leadership during Orlando Pirates’ pre-season tour of Spain, with head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou handing the 19-year-old the captain’s armband in a few friendly matches.

As the club prepares to name a permanent captain for the 2025-26 season, the spotlight is now on what defines true leadership.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tefu Mashamaite believes one key quality sets great captains apart and it often only reveals itself under pressure.

"One thing I've realized about football is that you can never say 'I'm really ready' you only get ready when you're thrown in at the deep end, that's when you know you're ready. For me it was a situation like that," Mashamaite said on Jabu Mahlangu Diski Shandis YouTube Channel.
"There were experienced players, both locally and internationally (at Bidvest Wits), but I remember Roger (De Sa) the first day he was like, 'You know what, at the age of 22, 23, you're no longer a youngster, you're a senior player. I consider you a senior player. You have my back up'.

"I'm forever grateful to Roger for having so much belief in me, because it helped me to grow in confidence. I remember around 2009 (Sibusiso Mahlangu) got injured and he threw the armband at me and I just kept on going from there," the former Amakhosi skipper concluded.

Mbokazi wore the captain’s armband in the second half against Cypriot champions Pafos and again featured as skipper against Granada.

With long-serving captain Innocent Maela departing during the off-season, Pirates now face the task of appointing a new leader for the upcoming campaign.

Under former coach Jose Riveiro, vice-captains Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi often shared the responsibility, both regularly donning the armband in Maela’s absence.

Ouaddou welcomes having multiple leadership options as the team prepares for a demanding season with both domestic and continental challenges ahead.

The Sea Robbers kick off their 2025-26 campaign in the MTN8 season opener against Polokwane City on Saturday, 2 August at 15:00.