Tapelo Xoki pleased by Mbekezeli Mbokazi progression in debut top-flight season for Orlando Pirates but 'we don't want to give him too much information'

Mbekezeli Mbokazi made his Orlando Pirates first-team debut in March after being promoted from the reserve team.

But the central defender has already established himself as a key player, making eight appearances in all competitions within a month.

Centre-back partner Tapelo Xoki speaks glowingly about Mbokazi, a player he has been closely watching improve.

“He [Mbokazi] has made it easy for us to play with him," said Xoki as per Sowetan Live.

"He listens, he works hard, so we just guide him where we need to. We don't want to give him too much information, but we let him play his game, allow him to make mistakes and cover him when he makes those mistakes.

“We just encourage him to be himself ... we don't want to impose a lot of information on him and all the other youngsters in the team. The sky is the limit for him.”

Mbokazi is in an environment that already has established defenders like Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, captain Innocent Maela and the injured duo of Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah.

But he has been fighting to be a regular and that has earned him plaudits plus a place in the South Africa Under-20 squad.

This is a season Mbokazi could end with the Premier Soccer League title, Caf Champions League crown and the Nedbank Cup.

He could also cap it by helping Amajita qualify for the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup.