Mbekezeli Mbokazi likened to FIFA World Cup winners | OneFootball

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Mbokazi compared to France, Brazil legends

Photo: Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Former PSL coach Wedson Nyirenda has likened Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi to FIFA World Cup winners Lillian Thuram of France and Roberto Carlos from Brazil.

The 20-year-old stalwart has been a revelation for club and country since making his professional debut for Orlando Pirates back in March.

Since cutting his professional teeth, Mbokazi has established himself as an important figure in the heart of defense, and is set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Chicago Fire from the Buccaneers after AFCON.

The Hluhluwe-born center-back recently put in an eye-catching defensive masterclass against global superstars in Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, among others, when Bafana narrowly lost to the Pharaohs on Friday.

As a result, Nyirenda, who won the Telkom Knockout trophy with Baroka FC at the expense of Pirates in 2018, says Mbokazi reminds him of former world champions Thuram and Carlos, in addition to David Nyathi, who won the AFCON with Bafana in 1996.

“I have not seen a good defense player like Mbokazi in a long time. I remember the likes of David Nyathi, [Lillian] Thuram of France, Roberto Carlos of Brazil, just to mention a few he reminds me of,” the Zambian tactician said in an exclusive interview with Foot Africa.

What's more, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker believes the player has all the attributes required to succeed in the famed English and Spanish topflight divisions.

“I was believing that he would fit in the English Premier League or Spanish La Liga easily, but all things being equal it is well with him where he has gone,” Nyirenda added.

Having put pen to paper on a deal that runs until 2029, with a club option for the 2029/30 campaign, it remains to be seen whether ‘TLB’, as the player is fondly known, will see out his contract with the MLS club.