Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is the talk of the Happy People after his impressive Man of the Match performance against Mamelodi Sundowns.
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The story
The Buccaneers have seemingly unearthed yet another gem of its youth structures in the form of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who enjoyed a statement showing in Pirates' 2-1 win over Masandawana on Sunday afternoon at the FNB Stadium.
The 19-year-old was promoted to the first team in February 2025, following his impressive displays in the DStv Diski Challenge for Pirates under club legend Joseph Makhanya.
Mbokazi, who hails from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu Natal, helped nullify the threat of Lucas Ribeiro Costa in Sundowns' attack, showing plenty of maturity in helping Bucs get over the line after Mofokeng's early brace.
The talented defender has not looked out of place in the four appearances he's made for the Sea Robbers across all competitions so far, scoring one goal and contributing to two clean sheets.
Since making his debut for the Soweto giants against Chippa United in the Betway Premiership two weeks ago, he has continued to impress, starting in matches against SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal and Stellenbosch FC in the league.
Mbokazi received mass praise online for his commanding showing at the back for Pirates, with the youngster also getting plaudits for his confident post-match interview shared by the Soweto giants on social media.
Read: Tito Wins Hearts Of Young Fans
Watch below:
FT || @orlandopirates 2 v 1 @Masandawana
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) March 16, 2025
???Mbekezile Mbokazi
????? #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/PtrP0F8Exc
Here's what the Twitter/X timeline had to say about the youngster's performance vs Sundowns:
Mbekezeli Mbokazi when he empties his pocket tonight. pic.twitter.com/e38vncfBz2
— Khanyisile Ndzakana (@KhanyisileNdza3) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli Mbokazi.. that is all.. ?? pic.twitter.com/bHr8HjSqqF
— Michael Morton (@MMORTON6) March 16, 2025
Isosha elifela empini. Mbekezeli Mbokazi! ?????? pic.twitter.com/z36rr83k14
— STAR. (@makwande_m) March 16, 2025
"Asiwona amavaka"
— Mzura ???? (@MzuraVanie) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli Mbokazi pic.twitter.com/MmZCOMA3DZ
"Ngeke besiphinde kabili ngetshe elilodwa" - Mbekezeli TLB Mbokazi
— ? (@Skhayo___KG) March 16, 2025
????Man of the Match Mbekezeli Mbokazi:
— Football SA (@SAFootClassics) March 16, 2025
"Wonke umuntu ebesithi sizodliwa. We wanted to prove them wrong."#BetwayPrem #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/DvyNhwHXvL
Mbekezeli TLB Mbokazi on Duty ??No Nonsense pic.twitter.com/mWSA7HPFRV
— Mazilitha Photojournalist (@mazilitha04) March 17, 2025
Mbekezeli 'TLB' Mbokazi the future is very bright. pic.twitter.com/ybbQ5myMky
— Music is Life!!! (@Mr_HUMA) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli Mbokazi ???????? pic.twitter.com/OcGoQh5Pis
— Ta_Sghubu (@thabang_makoba) March 16, 2025
We've kept back to back league cleansheets with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
— 2025 is our 1995 ???? (@TshepoS__S) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli Mbokazi "Playing against Ribeiro is easier than to play against DDC attackers" pic.twitter.com/x5cQZ5rGut
— Coach Sphe (@SpheleleZN) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli Mbokazi dealt with them especially Brazilian reject pic.twitter.com/nnjbBBSx91
— Lodwick???? (@MashabaZikara) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli "TLB izintsimbi zabelungu" Mbokazi is not afraid of anything or anyone pic.twitter.com/Q3VnT2L2JC
— Mthokozisi wakwa Nkosi???????? (@OfficialHeadboy) March 16, 2025
Mbekezeli Mbokazi ???? big dawg
— Mlangeni???? (@Nkosi_Dlamini_) March 16, 2025
Future Bafana Bafana Captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi, South Africa leave a like for him ????
— PovertyKiller_Official ? (@PovertykillerB) March 16, 2025
Thank you Orlando Pirates ?? #BetwayPrem #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/Ibej4RZhuv
Another man of the match award for Mbekezeli Mbokazi ???? he is destined for greatness. Top top top LCB ????#OrlandoPirates #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/WqqDIo2lYw
— Macca (@BSim0) March 16, 2025
Go into His Pockets You'll Find Lucas Rebeiro..??????Mbekezeli "TLB" Mbokazi????????#OnceAlways #OrlandoPirates#Mofokeng pic.twitter.com/hPuOGgUTbN
— ??•????•?? (@Lefoka_) March 16, 2025
#OrlandoPirates
— Nomzamo Mhlongo (@Zamo_Njomz) March 16, 2025
Our man of the Match Mbekezeli Mbokazi pic.twitter.com/OK30dZVDdr
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Hluhluwe is proud of you son ????
— Certified Lethu Boy (@Lethv_) March 16, 2025
The future is too bright here bafethu ?????? pic.twitter.com/rel2L7h7Sr
— Cellular® (@Cellular_jnr) March 16, 2025
