Bafana and Orlando Pirates legend Benedict Vilakazi has some massive praise for a current superstar at the start of his career.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s rise at Pirates has seen him earn a big move to the United States with the Chicago Fire.
The powerful defender is now a key figure for his country.
Tso Vilakazi compares Vilakazi to Roberto Carlos
After another impressive outing for Bafana, Mbekezeli Mbokzi’s stock continues to rise. Hugo Broos’ men got a 2-1 win over Angola to start their AFCON campaign on a perfect note. Mbokazi rattled the crossbar with a long-range strike, which has earned him some comparisons to Brazil legend Roberto Carlos from Benedict Vilakazi. After only 39 appearances for the Sea Robbers, he’s already sealed a big foreign move.
“Mbokazi is boss! Tso said on iDiski TV.
“He’s more mature than Ngezana, how he helps that defence in covering Ngezana. How he’s going in, in terms of picking and getting the ball.
“Look at the shot that he took. In this moment of football, give me one defender than Mbokazi who can take a shot like that. The last one was Roberto Carlos. Let’s go back to the history of football.
“I don’t remember a centre-back unleashing such shots. The last person I saw was Roberto Carlos, who did a similar thing.
“This boy is growing, and for me, this is one player that, whatever happens, he must always be safe [from injuries].
“Because if anything happens to him and Tebza [Teboho Mokoena], and [Ronwen] Williams, maybe I’ll be in the hospital. I don’t really think I’ll survive.”
Orlando Pirates stars shine for Bafana
South Africa claimed a 2-1 win over Angola in their AFCON 2025 opener thanks to goals from Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis and ex-Pirates man Lyle Foster. Buccaneers attacker Tshepang Moremi, a second-half substitute, also had the ball in the net on 51 minutes, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. Hugo Broos’ men are next in action against Egypt on Boxing Day, with kickoff at 17:00 SA time. Here are their two remaining group fixtures:
Bafana’s starting XI vs Angola: Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster.