Hugo Broos shares main Mbekezeli Mbokazi attraction

Mbokazi is one of the seven new faces in the current Bafana squad in camp for international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique over the next 10 days.

Broos says maturity and sharpness in winning duels as well as sharp decision making are some of the areas Mbokazi has impressed him in.

"I think what I saw from Mbokazi was, for me, his game is very mature, he takes good decisions and he's a good defender – he's not the tallest but he wins aerial duels," noted Broos.

"He's 1.80m, I think, but he doesn't lose many duels, he has good [positioning] and reading the attack, so yeah, he's a good defender."

Having missed out on winning the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with his teammates in Egypt last month, after Pirates opted against releasing him for the tournament, Broos says it was a missed opportunity for the 19-year-old.

"No, it would have been better for him to play AFCON for his development and gaining international experience," argued the Belgian mentor.

"Ok, Pirates will say he has international experience in the Champions League and they are right, but they could have given him the opportunity because they have players who can replace him in the team.

"And ok, Pirates could still have been champions in that moment, but I think to become champions was very difficult, so you could have then given a chance to a player to play at AFCON."

READ: Mdaka sets sights on elite friendlies for U20 World Cup prep