Orlando Pirates DDC side coach Joseph Makhanya has advised new kid on the block Mbekezeli Mbokazi to firmly keep his feet on the ground and learn from the experienced defensive duo of Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Mbokazi was given his first team debut in the Betway Premiership game against Chippa United before earning himself a Man of the Match performance in their Nedbank Cup last eight triumph over SuperSport United after also scoring in the encounter.
‘Duku Duku’ wants to see the 19-year-old lot to learn and absorb as much as possible from the senior players.
“My advice to him is that he needs to keep his feet firm on the ground,” Makhanya told reporters in Seshego.
“And lean towards [Nkosinathi] Sibisi and lean towards [Tapelo] Xoki and understand the game better because he’s a new kid on the block. He needs to understand even more because now the game that side is more tactical, it’s more about mind-set, it’s more about the quality. So, it means he can’t be seen doing things because there are certain things that he needs to cut out, maybe running with the ball unnecessarily at times because he feels at DDC he could get away with it because of his physical profile.
“But that side now he finds himself playing against the likes of [Bienvenue] Eva Nga who are big in stature. He needs to make up his mind a bit quicker to find his next player so the ball progress again.
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“So, whilst he’s having a lot of senior players around him, he needs to suck up a lot of experience so that when it’s time to play with another youngster, he’s ready to make sure that he passes on the baton because it’s all about making sure that he learns the game a bit quicker.
“It’s more tactical that side it’s about more players that are even smarter, because he finds different species of strikers. He’ll find the one that holds, he’ll find the one that are always on the run, he’ll find a [Peter] Shalulile, he’ll find a [Iqraam] Rayners, he’ll find a [Samir] Nurkovic different types to adjust to.
“Whilst he’s on the adjusting phase, mistakes are going to be made. I’m hoping that fans do not also crucify him because again it’s all about giving him confidence so that he goes on to become a better player.”
