Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is fuming, and this time his frustration is directed at one of South Africa’s brightest young talents. Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, fresh off leading the Buccaneers to yet another cup triumph, has landed himself in hot water after arriving late to the national team’s training camp ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
And Broos did not mince his words.
A Growing Star Finds Himself In The Wrong Spotlight
Mbokazi is living a football fairy tale. In less than a year, the 20-year-old has made his senior debut for Pirates, lifted two domestic cups, earned a spot in Bafana Bafana’s AFCON squad, and secured a move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
In most South African football circles, he is being hailed as one of the future faces of the national team. But in Pretoria this week, his rising profile meant very little to Broos.
Mbokazi missed his flight from Durban to Gauteng and arrived behind schedule, disrupting an already tight pre-tournament programme. For a coach known for his uncompromising approach to discipline, the excuse didn’t fly.
Broos Absolutely Unimpressed With “Unprofessional Attitude”
Speaking at the High Performance Centre, Broos openly criticised both the player and the communication that followed from Orlando Pirates.
“He missed his flight yesterday in Durban. The coach of Pirates told me that he was angry about it and called it an unprofessional attitude,” Broos said, visibly irritated.
He added that Pirates then sent him messages trying to justify the delay, calling the explanations “nonsense” and expressing disappointment that a club would shield a player instead of holding him accountable.
Broos went further, linking the issue to a broader challenge he believes affects many young South African footballers.
“This is South Africa, and this is very bad. When you’re a 19-year-old getting an AFCON call-up, you should be here early, not arriving late. Suddenly Mboki is a star and he thinks he can decide when he comes.”
The Belgian coach even joked that after their meeting, Mbokazi would “leave his room as a white guy”, a remark that spread quickly on social media, triggering debates about Broos’ bluntness and approach.
Fans Split On Social Media
On X and Facebook, reactions were immediate and fiery.
Many supporters agreed with Broos, saying punctuality is non-negotiable when representing the country, especially heading into a tournament as big as AFCON.
Others felt Broos went too far, arguing that while the player deserved a talking-to, the public rebuke — especially with colourful comments — could be handled more tactfully.
Some Pirates fans accused Broos of unfairly targeting their players yet again, while Bafana loyalists insisted this level of discipline is exactly what the national team needs if they hope to compete with Africa’s giants.
AFCON Preparations Leave No Room For Slip-Ups
Bafana Bafana are in the final stretch of preparations before departing for Morocco. The team is currently undergoing an intense tactical and physical programme in Pretoria, working to sharpen their combinations ahead of a challenging Group B.
A warm-up friendly against Ghana’s CHAN team on December 16 will be their final test before boarding the plane. With opponents like Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe waiting, mistakes will be costly.
For Mbokazi, the timing couldn’t be worse. He will now have to win back Broos’ trust while proving he is ready for continental football at the highest level.
A Young Career At A Crossroads
There is no denying Mbokazi’s meteoric rise. At just 20, he has leadership qualities, composure on the ball, and a growing list of achievements. But as Broos strongly reminded the public, talent alone won’t carry him through the pressures of AFCON or the expectations of Bafana supporters.
If handled well, this setback could become part of Mbokazi’s maturity curve. South African football has seen many young stars stumble early, only to bounce back stronger. The coming days will show whether Mbokazi joins that list.
For now, Broos has made it clear: being a rising star is no excuse for breaking camp discipline. AFCON is around the corner, and Bafana are in no mood for distractions.
Source: Goal ZA
Featured Image Source: MDN News on X
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