iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye has once again heaped praise on Orlando Pirates young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, calling the youngster a future captain of the club.
The 19-year-old has fitted in like a glove in the first team since his promotion from the development ranks in 2025. The South African junior international has been instrumental and solid at the back for Pirates on all fronts including their CAF Champions League run and Nedbank Cup.
Mbokazi showed consistency once again in his side’s last match which was a 3-0 hammering over Golden Arrows on Tuesday at Orlando Stadium as head coach Jose Riveiro bid farewell to the club before he takes up the Al Ahly head coaching role.
Khanye said Mbokazi does things that don’t need coaching on the field while also covering his seniors at the back.
“He’s a future captain of Pirates this boy Mbokazi,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“He has leadership skills, and you know how sometimes they say you are born for something; he was a born to be a leader. Some of the things he does do not need coaching. The boy gets in the midfield with the ball, just driving for about 30m with the ball on his feet. His ball control, how he’s able to protect it and force a foul or even delaying until his teammates get into the Golden Arrows half and then hit a decisive pass.
“Well done to the boy. Like I said he has leadership skills and if you can look at this boy even at the back he is helping [Tapelo] Xoki a lot. So many mistakes from Xoki for me and always being late. I know he’s a senior player but the boy his quality, he is strong on his feet, his awareness, anticipation a lot of things and how he communicates, well done to the boy.”
