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Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Bafana BafanaBackpage
Seth Willis

Orlando Pirates' Mbekezeli Mbokazi NOT 20? Bafana Bafana youngster strongly defended amid age cheating allegations as academy coach details 'one thing that confuses people'

Despite his tender age, the youngster has been a rock for both the Buccaneers and the country, delivering consistently regardless of the opponent he is playing against. His physique and pace have been his main strengths, attributes that have made critics allege the dependable Bucs assistant skipper might not be twenty as indicated by the Sea Robbers.

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Mbokazi's rise in a nutshell

    Mbekezeli Mbokazi got his breakthrough in March this year when the then Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro gave him his debut.

    The youngster took the chance with both hands and has not looked back ever since, relegating the experienced Tapelo Xoki to the bench and forming a formidable partnership with Nkosinathi Sibisi at the heart of the Bucs defence.

    Mbokazi has replicated his club form for Bafana Bafana and is now a starter.

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  • Jaisen Clifford and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Marumo Gallants vs Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Questions raised about Mbokazi's age

    Some people have been questioning whether Mbokazi is just 20, given his physique, strength, and maturity on the pitch.

    Others have gone to the extent of claiming the Orlando Pirates assistant captain is not honest about his age.

  • Oswin Appollis and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Mbokazi is young! Academy coach insists

    Bucs Academy coach Wonder Mnguni has defended the South Africa international, insisting there is nothing he is hiding.

    “I can attest, I saw the birth certificate of Mbekezeli and I saw his ID when he came to us,” Mnguni told iDiski Times.

    “He was doing Grade 10 that was in 2023. He was a bit late in school when you look at his age.

    "The other thing people must know, when you watch him on TV, he looks a bit older, but when you see him live, you can see he’s a young boy.

    “That’s one thing that confuses people, and also the way he’s built and how he fights on the field, they then think he’s old, but in reality, the boy is very young," he concluded.

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Cyriel Dessers, South Africa vs NigeriaBackpage

    What comes next?

    Mbokazi has what it takes to play and compete in any top league in the world, owing to his talent.

    However, his immediate assignment is to help Bafana Bafana qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and deliver the AFCON trophy as well.