Former Orlando Pirates skipper makes bold Mbekezeli Mbokazi claim

Mbokazi was promoted to the club’s first team from the DDC just a few months ago, and in a short space of time has established himself as a cult figure among their supporters after helping them reach both the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League and the final of the Nedbank Cup. 

Lekgwathi says the youngster has all the tools to become a world-class player.

"The boy has got everything. The young man is skillful, he is strong, and he has confidence in his abilities. He may not be very tall, but he always challenges in the air, and although he didn't play at the start of the season, he is definitely a candidate for defender of the season," said the former Buccaneer. 

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Just when you think he can’t sing the boy’s praises any louder, Lekgwathi also says Mbokazi has what it takes to fill the big boots of Mbulelo Mabizela. OJ, as the former Pirates and Tottenham Hotspur centre-half is affectionately known, was quite literally one of the best players to ever grace the game in South Africa and is revered as being in a class of his own. 

"I can compare him with Old John, but he is still very young, he still has to learn a few more things to reach a similar level to Old John. However, in the future, I think the boy can be like Old John," praised Lekgwathi. 

The former skipper, who played for the club for 12 years between 2002 and 2014, says credit must go to his former teammate and DDC coach Joseph Makhanya for producing top young talent for the senior team. Duku-Duku has also been a crucial part of the development of players like Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, and Simphiwe Selepe.

All four of the above-mentioned players were named in Bafana Bafana’s squad to face Tanzania and Mozambique next month – with three earning maiden call-ups, as Pirates dominate in the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns players. Lekgwathi has advised Mbokazi not to try and change his game at senior international level.