Former Sekhukhune United midfielder Linda Mntambo has made a bold claim about Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, saying the young centre-back belongs to the best defenders in the world.
Mntambo’s comments come on the back of Bafana’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. Hugo Broos’ men started the tournament horribly, losing 2-0 to Mexico in the tournament opener where they also finished with nine men.
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In their second Group A match they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Czechia before stunning South Korea 1-0 in the group decider to book a historic place in the knockout round of the tournament and setting up a meeting with another co-host in Canada.
However, they lost 1-0 to in LA on Sunday to end their run in the tournament, with the former Orlando Pirates man expressing disappointment at the team’s exit and performance against Canada.
“I think we underestimated them [Canada],” said Mntambo on SABC3.
“I don’t think the boys really showed up like they did against South Korea. When you look at today’s game, too many turnovers in midfield, we were sloppy. We just didn’t find our rhythm in the game.
“And look a bitter pill to swallow, especially conceding towards the end of the match when we thought, you know, that’s the critical phase of the game.”
“You know would have thought that maybe they could have kept it solid and went on into the extra-time, and maybe then try to add more numbers going forward to get a goal. But it wasn’t to be.”
‘TLB among world’s best defenders’
Mntambo, though, felt that Mbokazi’s displays throughout the tournament have been one the positives from Bafana’s World Cup outing, adding that he cannot wait to see where the 20-year-old centre-back’s next move will take him.
“But I think from the game we can still take a lot of positives Mbokazi being a standout performer,” he added.
“I think he’s been exceptional in this World Cup. He deserves everything that’s coming his way. You know, he showed that age is just a number, he can compete with the best in the world.
“I’d love to see where his next destination is. It has to be in Europe most definitely. He’s played extremely well.
“He’s got all the qualities to be one of the best defenders, not in the country, but in the world.”