Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole has made an honest admission about former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The duo is currently in Morocco on national duty for the CAF 2025 AFCON tournament. They have helped South Africa reach the Round of 16, where they face Cameroon.
Mbokazi made his professional football debut on 5 March 2025 when the Buccaneers locked horns with Chippa United in the Betway Premiership tie.
On his debut day, the Soweto giants secured a 1-0 victory over the Chilli Boys at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, courtesy of a solitary goal from Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Mbokazi joins the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Thabiso Sesane, and others as the new talents rising from the team’s youth development programme.
The 20-year-old was given a heartfelt send-off after securing the Carling Knockout title with a 1-0 win against Bahlabane ba Ntwa, courtesy of Relebohile Mofokeng’s goal during the first half of extra time.
Mbokazi has joined Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire FC. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.
He leaves the Sea Robbers on a high note, having secured two trophies [MTN8 and Carling Knockout titles]. Mbokazi also experienced the honour of captaining the team.
‘I HAVEN’T SEEN WHAT I SAW IN HIM’: SPHEPHELO SITHOLE
Sithole acknowledged that he hasn’t seen such talent in someone like ‘TLB’ during his eight years of European experience, considering Mbokazi’s age.
“I think about ‘Mbeki,’ and I believe everyone can see that he is a good defender for his age, you know,” said Sithole.
“Even I, myself, played in Europe for the past eight years, and I can say that I haven’t seen what I saw in a 20-year-old defender.
“For his age, the way he is performing right now and the confidence he has is something amazing. We know that at the back, sometimes, maybe out of 10 duels, he would win nine of those.”
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