Bafana Bafana defender Nkosinathi Sibisi has offered a unique perspective on his defensive partnership with youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi, shedding light on the qualities that make their collaboration seamless at both club and national team levels.
Sibisi and Mbokazi are expected to partner for the national team when they take on Mozambique in an international friendly at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The two have played together since the 19-year-old made his Betway Premiership debut in March this year. His performances in the colours of Pirates earned him a national team call-up by coach Hugo Broos.
Broos also confirmed that Mbokazi will partner with his Pirates teammate, Sibisi, at centre-back when Bafana Bafana take on The Mambas in Polokwane.
WHAT NKOSINATHI SIBISI MAKES OF HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH MBEKEZILE MBOKAZI
“I have played with Mbokazi at club level. It won’t be any different in the national team,” said Sibisi while addressing journalists on Monday.
“He is a very humble boy, and he takes instructions well. So for me, it’s very easy to play alongside him. I don’t think tomorrow [Tuesday] will be a big change for him, as the coach has mentioned.
“It’s a perfect choice for me to partner with him and give him that guidance and confidence to be able to take his chance. Tomorrow we will be able to see the best of him,” he added.
ORLANDO PIRATES STAR PRIVILEGED TO BE CAPTAINING BAFANA BAFANA
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Sibisi will captain the national team for the first time on Tuesday.
“Obviously, it ranks very high. For me, it’s a privilege and an honour to be able to lead the team. I would like to thank the coach for showing confidence in me. We have been together from the very first camp he came [to the national team].
“I would like to say thanks to him because sometimes there were question marks whenever I was here. But to be able to lead the team will be a huge honour and privilege for me.”
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