Bafana coach Hugo Broos slams ‘unprofessional’ Mbekezeli Mbokazi for missed AFCON flight

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has publicly criticised Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his club, Orlando Pirates, over his late arrival at the national team camp.

Speaking to 947’s Robert Marawa, EWN sports reporter Tholakele Mnganga explains Mbokazi was set to join his teammates in Tshwane on Tuesday ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

On Saturday, he captained Orlando Pirates to a victory in the Carling Knockout finals in Polokwane.

RELATED: Pirates coach commends team for Carling Knockout title win

“[Broos] had given the Orlando Pirates players two extra days off to celebrate the Carling Knockout win, but Mbokazi missed his flight. It was Abdeslam Ouaddou (Pirates coach) who called Hugo Broos to inform him,” she says.

At the press conference, Broos labelled it as ‘an unprofessional attitude of a South African player’.

“[Broos] feels that Mbokazi is starting to feel like he is a star, and it is not the kind of behaviour that he requires from a player that is going to represent the national team,” adds Mnganga.

He also criticised the Pirates and Mbokazi for the player’s upcoming move to the MLS team, Chicago Fire.

“What is he going to do in Chicago? They are not even a top team in America! I don’t think it is a good choice,” said Broos.

Mnganga says there is uncertainty about what moving to the MLS will mean for Mbokazi during such a pivotal time in his career. 

“When you are at Orlando Pirates, you are the captain, you are playing in the first team, and you have become a mainstay in the Bafana Bafana defence. There will be questions about how far his career will go back by going to the MLS.” 

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To listen to Zwane in conversation with 947’s Robert Marawa, click below: