Hugo Broos urges Bafana star Mbekezeli Mbokazi to choose wisely before moving abroad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has once again preached the gospel of youngsters — this time, particularly Mbekezeli Mbokazi — being advised by the right people when it’s time to move abroad.

Broos has been an advocate for giving youngsters game time since taking over the reins at Bafana more than four years ago. And thanks to his mantra, he has enjoyed sustained success with the national team.

Bafana have qualified for back-to-back AFCONs — including the upcoming tournament in Morocco later this year — as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

But with the core of his team made up of locally based players, Broos believes they’d grow in leaps and bounds if they moved abroad, where they would gain invaluable experience.

One of the youngsters Broos believes is ready for that step is Mbokazi. The 19-year-old has been rock-solid for Orlando Pirates since making his debut last season. So much so that he scooped the Nedbank Cup Young Promising Player of the Season award, while also fitting in seamlessly with Bafana in recent camps — earning himself a CAF Young Player of the Year nomination.

Broos has been waxing lyrical about Mbokazi since he started working with him, vowing to advise the youngster on the importance of choosing the right move for his career.

“This is not my job to interfere with those kinds of things — I am the Bafana coach,” Broos said during a roundtable discussion with journalists hosted by Safa this week. “I will talk to him when we are at AFCON. I will have time to share my experience with him.

“I hope he listens. I think he will, because he’s a very humble guy. But when you are in an environment that makes you crazy, a 20-year-old can become crazy too.”

While Broos has long encouraged young players to take their talents abroad, he has also warned against agents steering them toward clubs and countries that promise big salaries but little game time.

His fears were realised when Cassius Mailula joined Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, only to be demoted to the reserves after slipping down the pecking order.

“When players go to Europe, the most important thing is to choose the right club — not money,” Broos reiterated. “When you look at Mbokazi, it might be nearly impossible for him to still be playing in South Africa next season. But I pray he’s surrounded by people who think with their minds and not their hearts.

“Otherwise, he could make the wrong choice — and then he might never reach his potential. It’s important he makes the right move, because once he’s abroad and in the right environment, you’ll see what a player he’ll become. He’ll be a very good player — you can be sure of it!”

Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbokazi’s Pirates teammate, has also made headlines in recent months amid speculation linking him with overseas clubs. But after those moves failed to materialise, his form has dipped this season.

Broos believes that was inevitable, suggesting his agents might have overhyped potential moves during the winter transfer window.

“I spoke with Mofokeng also,” Broos continued. “Why is Rele not at the level he was last year? It’s very clear — they made him crazy.

“You can’t ask a 20-year-old to say, ‘I’m only concentrating on football and I won’t listen to what those guys are telling me.’ They listen — and it’s normal.

“But perhaps it’s my job to say, listen carefully to this and that. But that’s all I can do.”