Mbokazi’s rise sparks debate: Is he Africa’s next great defender?

COMMENT

It is not often that South African football produces a teenage defender who looks as if he belongs among the continent’s best almost overnight. 

Yet, with each passing game, Mbekezeli Mbokazi is forcing us to ask the question: where does he rank among Africa’s finest?

At just 19-years old, the Orlando Pirates centre-back has stepped into the unforgiving world of senior international football with the composure of a veteran. His Player of the Match performance against Nigeria in Bloemfontein was not merely a coming-of-age display – it was a statement that he can go toe-to-toe with the best strikers Africa has to offer.

Victor Osimhen was not there, yes, but anyone who watched Mbokazi marshal the backline alongside Siyabonga Ngezana will know it would not have mattered. 

He reads the game with an intelligence rare for his age, positions himself with confidence, and rarely looks flustered under pressure. That’s not a common description for a teenager still in his first full season of top-flight football.

The continent has produced world-class defenders over the years – from Samuel Kuffour to Kalidou Koulibaly, Joel Matip and Kolo Toure. The common thread with all of them is that they established themselves in Europe before their 20s.

Mbokazi, for now, is still based in South Africa with Orlando Pirates. That is the challenge and the opportunity.

Hugo Broos has already said it: “Mbokazi … this guy has to go to Europe.”

The Bafana coach is not prone to exaggeration. If anything, he has been brutally honest in assessing South African players since taking over. For him to single out Mbokazi so emphatically suggests we are watching a generational talent.

But ranking him among Africa’s finest requires context.

Is he Koulibaly at Napoli level?

Not yet.

Is he Matip in his Schalke or Liverpool prime?

Still too soon. 

However, when it comes to potential, few defenders on the continent at his age are playing with the same authority on both domestic and international stages.

What stands out most is his temperament. South African football has seen technically gifted youngsters fade under the weight of expectation, but Mbokazi’s calmness is reminiscent of players who carve out decade-long careers at the top.

He doesn’t overplay, doesn’t panic, and crucially, doesn’t allow the occasion to overwhelm him.

So, where does he rank?

Among Africa’s proven greats, he is still a prospect but among the continent’s most exciting defensive talents, he is already right near the top. South Africa has not had a young defender this convincing since the rise of Mbulelo Mabizela two decades ago. 

The difference is that Mbokazi’s pathway, if carefully managed, looks far more promising. The ultimate measure will be a European move. That’s where the finest defenders sharpen their craft and prove themselves consistently against world-class opposition. 

For now, though, Bafana fans can take pride in knowing that Africa is beginning to take note of a teenager from Orlando Pirates who is playing like he has been here all along.