Mbokazi will miss an important step in his development

Skipping the junior World Cup is being shortsighted

- Kgomotso Mokoena

Every now and then a superstar emerges on the football stage and is immediately thrust into a whirlwind of emotions, outcries and tugs of war.

When muscular but fresh-faced 18-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi was promoted to the Orlando Pirates first team last season, little did the lad from rural Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal know that a year later, he'll be the biggest name in SA football.

The “giant with schoolboy looks” then turned 19 and was quietly going about his business unnoticed. Coach Jose Riveiro gave him a few opportunities to play, and he showed that he did not leave the bundus to come and fool around or to get lost in the bright lights of Jozi.

In less than one season, Mbokazi made his way to the SA under-20 team (Amajita), won major accolades at the annual PSL Awards and also sneaked into Hugo Broos' 2025 Africa Cup of Nations-bound Bafana Bafana.

Mbokazi turned 20-years on Friday but his tackles are timed to a perfection beyond his years. The way he shields the ball you could swear he was a rugby prop in his previous life.