Some fans criticised the Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie’s conduct during Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s farewell match on Saturday.
The Orlando Pirates defender captained his team to victory in the Carling Knockout Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Marumo Gallants at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Mbokazi, who played his last match for Pirates, kept a clean sheet and secured his second trophy with the Buccaneers.
The 20-year-old defender will join MLS side Chicago Fire after the Africa Cup of Nations.
After the match, Mbokazi was celebrated, and McKenzie, one of the delegates at the event, wished the Bafana Bafana defender well as he prepares for his journey to the MLS.
“He is an example to young boys that their dreams can come true. He serves the club, his country, his family, stay humble and I want to say to ‘TLB’ Mbokazi, we wish you all the best, we want to say thank you and we are grateful for what you have done,” the minister said.
Fans not happy with McKenzie overpraising Mbokazi
During the medals ceremony, the minister was seen firmly hugging and celebrating Mbokazi and at one point, the player looked uncomfortable.
Many fans felt McKenzie was taking the shine away from the defender and Pirates.
@abuagoody wrote: “This Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie likes to seek unnecessary attention. He does things for show.”
@Abut_Antonio wrote: “Nah bro his sole purpose was to put a medal on Mbokazi’s neck.. This show off nton nton is very unnecessary and only shows attention-seeking tendencies. Minister must learn to chill; he’s always all over the place.”
@cozmino__ wrote: “Gayton never misses any sporting moment to make it about himself.”
“Politics aside, I really like how Minister Gayton McKenzie embraced Mbekezeli Mbokazi,” @opfclover tweeted.
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou revealed what he told Mbokazi before the match.
“I told him before the last game, ‘you need to put the team at the first place, and to win this trophy and nobody can speak because you win the trophy’. And the guy won the trophy.”