Orlando Pirates‘ 19-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been the main talk for football-loving fans owing to his rapid rise in South African football.
The Pirates Academy graduate made his debut in the 1-0 win over Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League a couple of weeks ago. He has since played against SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup and later on in a high-profile league outing against Mamelodi Sundowns where he put up a Man-of-the-Match performance.
With his current exploits, it is obvious the teenager has attracted all sorts of people into his life. Others will be there to help him reach high levels while some might be there for selfish desires. It explains why Mbokazi's grandmother Thembisile Nxumalo has surfaced and advised his grandson on how to conduct himself in Gauteng.
‘Remember the reason you left home'
“You must enjoy life but don’t forget where you come from. Wherever you are now please look after yourself,” she said in her latest interview on 1KZNTV.
“I want to warn you to be respectful and don’t mess around with a nice life in Gauteng because they will destroy you. Come home and get your partner. Don't go all over the places in Gauteng, stay focused and collected, and leave out all the women in Gauteng because they will lead you astray.
“Leave out all the bad things and also alcohol. Please stay focused [with your career at Pirates] and remember the reason why you left home,” Nxumalo concluded.
With his form, chances are high that Mbokazi has won his place in the Buccaneers team for the foreseeable future.
