Former Orlando Pirates defender Tonic Chabalala has shared his thoughts on rising star Mbekezeli Mbokazi, whose impressive performances since his debut for the Buccaneers have caught the attention of many.
The 19-year-old has quickly become a fan favorite, with his standout performance against Mamelodi Sundowns, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Chabalala, who once wore the Pirates’ jersey himself, expressed his admiration for the young defender’s talent and growth.
Development and Praise for Mbokazi’s Game
While it’s still early days for Mbokazi, Chabalala believes it’s clear that the young player has immense potential.
“You can spot a good player in just a few seconds, and Mbokazi’s development has been impressive,” Chabalala said.
He credits Joseph Makhanya, the Bucs’ development coach, for Mbokazi’s success so far, especially through the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).
Chabalala acknowledges how valuable Mbokazi has become to Orlando Pirates, especially in a time when the club is focusing less on buying players and more on developing homegrown talent.
Mbokazi’s confidence has been evident in crucial matches.
His performance against SuperSport, which included scoring a brilliant goal, has further solidified his place in the team.
“For a defender to score like a striker is rare, and it shows how confident he is,” Chabalala noted.
Chabalala’s Concern: Mbokazi’s Pace
However, Chabalala has one area of concern regarding Mbokazi’s game—his pace.
The former defender believes the youngster needs to improve his fitness, as his current speed could limit his effectiveness on the field.
“His physique might work against him, especially considering most strikers are quicker and more agile,” Chabalala pointed out.
He emphasized that Mbokazi needs to focus on enhancing his physical conditioning to compete at the highest level.
In addition to his speed, Chabalala also noted that Mbokazi tends to rely heavily on his right foot.
This could potentially restrict him to playing as a left-center-back, as he may struggle to fully utilize his right side if required to play on that flank.
According to Chabalala, this could be a limitation in Mbokazi’s versatility, making it difficult for him to fill the right-center-back position effectively.
The Road Ahead for Mbokazi
Despite these concerns, there’s no denying Mbokazi’s talent and potential.
His rapid rise at Orlando Pirates has shown that he could become a key player for the club in the years to come.
If he continues to develop and works on improving his pace and physicality, Mbokazi could be a standout performer in the Premier Soccer League.