Former Orlando Pirates captain Mbulelo ‘Old John’ Mabizela is refusing to accept Mbekezeli Mbokazi being compared to the type of player he was during his prime.
The 20-year-old is experiencing a rapid rise in both his club and international career, the same way the retired central defender had a fast ascent. In November 2001, three months after making his PSL debut and aged 21, Mabizela made his maiden Bafana Bafana appearance.
Mbokazi was not yet born then, but fast-forward to March 2025, the current Pirates vice-captain played his first professional game as a 19-year-old. Interestingly, three months later, he featured in his debut national team match.
Two months after his first dance with Bafana, Mabizela was at the 2002 AFCON tournament, the same competition Mbokazi could find himself gracing in December.
While the two’s career paths appear similar, Mabizela sees himself as his own player, whom many centre-backs failed to match. He joins one of the most topical discussions in South African football: comparisons between him and Mbokazi.
THE BIG MABIZELA-MBOKAZI COMPARISON
“Not really, I won’t say I see myself [in Mbokazi], but I see a youngster who is playing good football, who has a good future, potential,” Mabizela told FARPost.
“A player who came to Orlando Pirates and made a statement as young as he is, he is someone with a bright future. I hope there won’t be obstacles in his journey in football. He has a short time in the PSL, but a long journey in football. He needs to play more and he has played very good so far.
“There are a lot of players who have been compared to me, but along the way, they failed. I wouldn’t say they failed in football, but many failed in being compared to OJ. They failed the comparison between themselves and me.
“Let me put it this way: they failed to play my style. So, I wouldn’t want to compare myself to Mbokazi or compare Mbokazi to myself. We are different types of players.
“I was developed a certain way, he is being developed a certain way. A lot of people are comparing him to me.”
In his career, Mabizela went on to become the youngest player to wear the Bafana Bafana captain’s armband, something Mbokazi might achieve as well.
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