Orlando Pirates talent compared to Brazil legend Roberto Carlos! | OneFootball

Orlando Pirates talent compared to Brazil legend Roberto Carlos!

South African football icon Benedict "Tso" Vilakazi has heaped extraordinary praise on a rising star he believes is destined for greatness: the formidable defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

The young player's ascent has been meteoric. After making a significant impact in just 39 appearances for Orlando Pirates, his exceptional talent has already earned him a high-profile transfer to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. More importantly, he has cemented his role as a vital pillar for the national team, Bafana Bafana.

His growing stature was on full display during South Africa's 2-1 AFCON victory over Angola, where his commanding performance included a thunderous long-range strike that shook the crossbar. It was this audacious moment that prompted Vilakazi to draw a breathtaking historical comparison.

"He is a boss! More mature than [Siyabonga] Ngezana in how he organizes and covers the defence," Vilakazi stated passionately. "Now, consider that shot he took. In today's game, name one defender who can unleash a strike like that. The last person I ever saw do something similar was Roberto Carlos. Let's be honest with the history of football—I don't recall a centre-back with such power and technique."

For Vilakazi, Mbokazi's importance to the national setup is now absolute. "This young man is evolving into something special," he emphasized. "For me, he is one player who, no matter what, must be protected from injury at all costs. Because if anything were to happen to him, and to key figures like Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams... honestly, I might not survive the shock. I'd probably end up in the hospital."