Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has criticised Orlando Pirates for how they handled Mbekezeli Mbokazi after the young defender missed a national team flight last year.
The 20-year-old arrived late to the Bafana camp in Johannesburg ahead of preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after missing his scheduled flight, an incident that left Broos frustrated.
Speaking on the matter, the Belgian coach accused Pirates of shielding the player instead of holding him accountable.
“When Mbokazi came one day too late, I got a message from Pirates saying he is living in a region where you don’t find transport easily to go to the airport, come on man, are you laughing or what?” Broos said.
“They protect the player, but he made a mistake. That was not true. In such situations, you need to be hard. That guy has to know: I can’t do that.”
Broos touches on Mbokazi saga
Broos stressed that young players need firm guidance rather than excuses, insisting the club missed an opportunity to instil discipline.
“Don’t support him, tell him, ‘No, you made a mistake.’ This is guidance, and this is what young players need.”
Following the AFCON tournament, Mbokazi left Pirates to join Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer, where he has since made a positive impression.
However, Broos believes Mbokazi may have benefited from spending more time developing locally.
The 74-year-old coach suggested that a full season with Pirates could have strengthened the defender’s growth and attracted interest from European clubs.
Mbokazi is currently part of the Bafana squad set to face Panama this week, as South Africa continues preparations for upcoming international competitions. Bafana will also find out their Group A final opponents later this month as the European World Cup play-offs take off.