Moeneeb Josephs gives his opinion on the best replacement for Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the Orlando Pirates! | OneFootball

Moeneeb Josephs gives his opinion on the best replacement for Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the Orlando Pirates!

A shadow of potential departure looms over Orlando Pirates, as the talented young defender Mbekezeli 'TLB' Mbokazi is heavily rumored for a transatlantic move to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. The speculated transfer fee is a staggering R50 million, a testament to the 20-year-old's meteoric rise from the Pirates' development side to becoming a cornerstone of their defense in just a short time.

His promotion in March 2025 marked the beginning of an impactful journey. Mbokazi quickly cemented himself as a key figure, amassing 18 appearances, contributing a goal, and playing an instrumental role in the club's recent MTN8 triumph. His noticeable absence from the squad that recently beat Chippa United 2-0 has only added fuel to the speculative fire surrounding his future.

In the wake of this potential seismic shift for the Sea Robbers, a voice of experience has weighed in on the path forward. Club legend Moeneeb Josephs, a goalkeeper who celebrated many glory days with the Buccaneers, has identified what he believes is the perfect internal solution.

With the club's current defensive roster including Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki, and Lebone Seema, Josephs points to a player waiting in the wings. He sees Mbokazi's potential departure not just as a loss, but as a golden opportunity for another talent to reclaim his spot.

“I made a point earlier on that Ndah has to be patient and wait for his chance, and this is that opportunity where if Mbokazi does move, imagine having a quality centre-back like Ndah,” Josephs stated on the Soccer Beat podcast.

Acknowledging the natural ebbs and flows of a footballer's career, the legend added, “Unfortunately, he fell down the pecking order, and he has to accept that it is what it is, and he has to wait for his opportunity. If Mbokazi moves, there’s no better replacement than Ndah coming into that position, so it will work perfectly for Ndah; he just needs to be patient.”

According to Josephs, the answer to the club's potential defensive reshuffle is already within their ranks, requiring not a new signing, but simply a dose of patience and the readiness to seize the moment.