With Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s star on the rise, former Orlando Pirates attacker Dikgang Mabalane has provided the young defender with some insightful and candid advice.
The talented centre-back has been turning heads with his impressive performances since his promotion to the Soweto giants’ senior team.
He previously captained the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team before stepping up to the Betway Premiership.
The left-footed defender made his debut in the first team on the 5th of March against Chippa United in a league match. In his time with Pirates’ first team so far, he has featured in eight matches in all competitions and scored one goal.
Mbokazi has also picked up several Man-of-the-Match performances in the heart of defence for the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has also mentioned the SA Under-20 international as the player who could be included in his squad in the near future.
WHAT MABALANE SAID ABOUT MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI
After forming a solid defensive combination with Nkosinathi Sibisi and Tapelo Xoki in the Pirates’ back three, Mabalane has told Mbokazi that playing for the Soweto giants is not a ‘once-off’ thing.
The retired winger knows the pressure of playing for Pirates after spending time with the club between 2008 and 2012, where he formed part of the squad that won the treble under the guidance of Ruud Krol.
“Mbokazi has been a player that is talked about a lot, and I think he’s been outstanding. He’s a soldier, and I think if you play against him, physically, he’s imposing, and I think that’s one of his strengths,” Mabalane said at the launch of SuperSportBet Sta’ Playa campaign at FNB Stadium.
“I’ve seen him play in the DDC as well, and it’s good to see him in the first team, finally making it, but I think he has to understand that Pirates is not a once-off thing. I know he has had a lot of Man-of-the-Match performances, but he needs to understand that this is a big club.
“The more recognition you get, the more pressure will be on you. So he needs to find ways of understanding that the spectacle is on him now because it’s difficult when you play for Pirates and you have that kind of pressure.
“And one of the things for him would just be to aim higher; he must set standards high for himself because more pressure is coming on him.”
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