Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is earning plaudits for his impressive performances for the Buccaneers but he could have been playing for their rivals.
Mbokazi has sprung to prominence this month following his promotion to the senior team, having made his Pirates debut on March 5, when the Soweto giants beat Chippa United 1-0.
The left-footed defender has not left the team since then, playing in four straight matches and on Sunday, he showed his real qualities, getting the Man of the Match award as Pirates beat title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1.
Mbokazi spent one season with Pirates DStv Diski Challenge team, having joined from Langalibalele Academy.
His former coach at Langalibalele Academy has now revealed how Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu and Golden Arrows had a chance to sign the youngster but either delayed to make a decision or did not show interest.
How did Chiefs miss out on Mbokazi?
“What surprised me is that he only played 15 minutes [in a friendly match before the tournament] and I phoned Kaizer Chiefs straight away,” Langalibalele Academy coach Mnguni told FARPost of what he had seen from the youngster during the 2023 Engen Knockout Challenge.
“That was my first time seeing him, I phoned Molefi Ntseki [then-head of Technical and Youth Development at Chiefs]. I said there’s a left centre-back here, he’s out of this world. I told him, ‘I can guarantee you’ll want to sign this boy’. He said to me, ‘Okay coach we will see’.
“I phoned Ace Khuse [a Chiefs scout], I told him the same thing so that more people at the club would push for him. I wanted him to join Chiefs. They said they will organise [things]. I saw that they were delaying.”
Meanwhile, Sundowns had a scout at the Engen tournament that was played in July 2023 and he was impressed with the player, recommending him to the club, but the Brazilians promised to come back after two months.
Sundowns’ ‘politics’ messed the move
“During the Engen tournament, there was a scout from Sundowns called Don. He said this boy is too good and he reminded him of [Mothobi] Mvala,” added Mnguni.
“It was July then but they wanted him to come in September. Because of [the club’s] politics, he couldn’t go to Sundowns right then.”
Mnguni admits the player came close to signing for both Golden Arrows and AmaZulu but financial and accommodation challenges experienced by Abafana Bes’thende made it difficult while Usuthu were finalising a deal before Pirates swooped.
Pirates’ decisiveness is paying off big time as Mbokazi is now emerging as a key player for coach Jose Riveiro, offering him balance in central defence where he can now field a right and left-footed player.
