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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has no reservations about handing 19-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi a major role if needed in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Orlando Pirates centre back was included in the 23-man squad announced on Thursday for back-to-back clashes against Lesotho and Nigeria next week.
Despite his youth, Broos has long been impressed by Mbokazi’s composure and ability since his promotion to the Pirates first team last season.
The Belgian tactician believes the teenager has shown enough quality to handle the demands of international football and will not hesitate to call on him if required.
"You know it's like he's already played five years in the team and he's confident, he's strong. He's a very good defender even against good players. I saw the game against Sundowns, there were a few moments where he was in action with Rayners [Iqraam], Rayners is not a nice guy either but he pushed him aside. So, that means that, yeah, he has the power also," Broos said.
Mbokazi did get a chance to work with Broos in the two friendly matches against Tanzania and Mozambique two months ago, a test he passed with flying colours.
"With younger players you always see, the first game they play they are a little bit unsure and that was something that I wanted to see in June when he played with us. He played very well with Pirates but okay Bafana Bafana is something else,” the coach added.
“I didn't see anything of not being sure or not being confident or being nervous, he just played the game and this is something special for a young player of 19 years old.
“In six months he became a standard player for a team like Pirates and everybody agreed when you say this is a very good player, there is nobody who says, yeah but this, yeah but this, no, no, everybody knows that he's a good player."
