A former coach of Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has revealed how a sjambok forced the youngster into professional football.
A stellar start has seen the Buccaneers’ newly promoted 19-year-old centre-back quickly establish himself in the first team. His professional debut came on 5 March in the Betway Premiership against Chippa United, where the Sea Robbers picked a narrow 1-0 win.
Despite only six appearances in all competitions, he has already contributed with a goal. Notably, he delivered strong performances in high-profile clashes against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership and MC Alger in the CAF Champions League. He also won three Man of the Match awards after his impressive displays.
Mbokazi’s journey with Ezimnyama Ngenkani began in 2023 when he signed from Langalibalele Academy in KZN. He played in Pirates’ Diski Challenge side before his promotion.
But prior to all that, when he was supposed to join the Durban-based academy Langalibalele, who were, at the time, preparing for the Engen Knockout tournament, he didn’t arrive on the day he was initially expected.
His non-arrival prompted academy coach Wonder Mnguni to contact Mbokazi’s uncle to inquire about the player’s whereabouts. The uncle was taken aback, believing the then-18-year-old was with the academy.
Upon learning the truth – that Mbokazi had been taken by other coaches to play in small stake tournaments in the rural areas – the uncle took swift and firm action.
SJAMBOK WAS USED TO COMPEL MBOKAZI TO MOVE TO THE ACADEMY
He used a sjambok to compel Mbokazi to move to the academy in Durban, emphasising the better opportunities awaiting him ahead compared to the minor tournaments in rural areas.
“When we [the academy] went to play a friendly before the Engen, the boy didn’t arrive,” said Mnguni during the interview with FARPost.
“I phoned his uncles and they said, the boy came to you [academy] in Durban. Only to find out he was taken by other coaches to play [tournaments in rural areas].
“His uncle whipped him with a sjambok and told him to go to Durban, where he would get better opportunities. So, seeing his talent, we had to try everything we could to help him, considering that he was also coming from the rural areas.”
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