Is this a fair assessment of Mbekezeli Mbokazi? Ex-Orlando Pirates star rates Bafana Bafana defender as 'one of the best centre-backs in Africa'

Mbekezeli Mbokazi has established himself as one of the top defenders in the Premier Soccer League.

He has also broken into the Bafana Bafana squad as he develops fast after only starting to play top-flight league football in March.

Former Pirates midfielder Ernest Mtawali already views the 20-year-old as one of the best central defenders on the African continent. 

"I am impressed with the current Orlando Pirates team," says Ernest Mtawali as per KickOff.  
"They have signed some excellent young players who bring a lot of energy to the team.  Oswin Appollis is a very good player, while Mbekezeli Mbokazi is one of the best centre-backs in Africa. They also have a very astute coach, who I believe will do better than our previous coach.  
"The way the team is performing right now, they are attacking more and playing a quick passing game. Under Abdeslam, they are not holding onto the ball for too long," added the former Malawi international midfielder.  "Looking at how Pirates play now, goals are coming from all angles." 

What could make Mtawali's views justifiable is how Mbokazi made seasoned Nigerian forwards like Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman look ordinary. 

This was when Bafana hosted the Super Eagles for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September, with the match ending 1-1.

For a player who only started playing professional football in March, Mbokazi was exceptional, given that he was 19 then.

Mbokazi has been included in the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

It is a chance for him to prove his worth again as the more demanding 2025 Africa Cup of Nations awaits him in December.