TS Galaxy star Khulumani Ndamane has opened up on competing with Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi for a place in the Bafana Bafana set up.
Ndamane has been a regular feature in the Bafana squad under head coach Hugo Broos in recent months, following his impressive performances at the Rockets.
The highly-rated centre-back broke into the Betway Premiership at the start of last season after joining Galaxy on a free transfer. He signed with the club after parting ways with the Kaizer Chiefs DStv Diski Challenge side.
Since breaking through in the SA top-flight, Ndamane established himself as a key player at Galaxy. The KZN-born defender has revealed the positives of competing with Mbokazi, stating that they learn a lot from each other.
NDAMANE SEES POSITIVES IN COMPETING WITH MBOKAZI
Meanwhile, ‘TLB’ as he’s affectionately known, has taken the PSL by storm after gaining promotion to the Pirates senior team in March 2025 from the DDC side. Mbokazi has been the most-talked-about defender, and he has been named as the vice captain for the Buccaneers a few months after being promoted.
Meanwhile, Mbokazi is reportedly on the verge of completing a multimillion deal from Pirates to Chicago Fire in the Major League Soccer (MLS].
“I think there’s always competition in football and Mbokazi is doing very well,” Ndamane said. “From my side, there is a lot that I’m learning from him, and he’s also learning from me. We are helping each other somewhere, somehow.
“So whoever gets a chance, takes that chance, and for me, I just have to look at the things he does right, then everything will be okay.”
The 21-year-old could also form a part of the Bafana squad that will participate in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco next month. He is part of the preliminary squad announced by Broos on Monday.
South Africa will be looking to be among the contenders to lift the AFCON title after clinching the bronze medal in the previous edition in the Ivory Coast.
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