At just 19 years old, Mbekezeli Mbokazi made headlines by captaining Orlando Pirates today. A post by iDiski Times announced: "CAPTAIN TLB Mbekezeli Mbokazi captains Orlando Pirates today. He's only 19 years old."
Mbokazi, born on 19 September 2005, hails from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal. He has rapidly risen through the ranks at Pirates. After joining from Langalibalele Academy, he captained the club’s Diski Challenge Development (DDC) side in 2024 . His commanding performances earned him a debut in the senior team on 5 March 2025, in a league match against Chippa United .
Since then, Mbokazi has impressed observers with his composure and leadership. He earned his first Man of the Match award in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final triumph over SuperSport United . His talent has sparked conversations about how soon he might take on bigger responsibilities in the team.
On 29 July 2025, IOL reported that Mbokazi was emerging as a shock candidate for full-time captaincy, underlining just how fast his reputation has grown. “At just 19, Mbekezeli Mbokazi is emerging as a shock candidate to captain Orlando Pirates,” the article said . This suggestion was backed by voices such as former Pirates star Gerald Modabi, who praised the teen’s readiness and love for the club.
Currently, Mbokazi is fulfilling the role of captain in an official capacity, at least for today. This marks an extraordinary moment in both his young career and the club’s history. While the long-term captaincy remains undecided, Mbokazi’s leadership tonight suggests that the club sees in him the qualities needed to be a future cornerstone.
The Orlando Pirates faithful will watch closely. If Mbokazi continues on this trajectory, he may very well become a symbol of youth leadership and potential for years to come.
Post a Comment