Mbokazi is back with Bafana Bafana, but things have changed

Mbekezeli Mbokazi, playing in the USA at Chicago Fire, is back after an injury spell. The left-central defender returns under a regime since Hugo Broos’ exit.

Coach Pitso Mosimane took over before a 2-1 win over Guinea and a 5-0 bashing of Eritrea. Bafana Bafana’s central defence had comprised of Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya.

PITSO MOSIMANE ON MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI’S RETURN

However, his return has not been without challenges. Mbokazi and the other Major League Soccer (MLS) players had to endure lengthy journeys to join the squad, with the coach acknowledging the impact of travel and time differences.

Mosimane was nevertheless impressed by what he saw from the returning defender.

“A good boy, a good player, he wants to play. A good mentality, good energy from what I saw on the games,” he stated.

The Bafana coach highlighted the difficulties faced by the Major League Soccer contingent, who travelled for approximately a day and a half before joining the national team camp.

“The MLS players they traveled for one-and-a-half days to be here and time differences. We don’t adjust our time to their time, because we are a group and they just come in and gel in proper.

“The MLS boys are focussed, they show they come from a good environment and most of them that we brought back [into the squad] went to the World Cup. “It’s important for me also to show them respect to be part of the group without compromising what’s been happening because that’s more important.”

Mosimane also stressed that welcoming established players back should not disrupt the progress made by those who featured during their absence.

The coach wants to maintain the momentum created by Bafana’s recent results, despite the challenges of regularly changing personnel.

MOSIMANE WARNS BAFANA PLAYERS ABOUT COMPETITION

“We need to keep the momentum going after the results. In the national team we never have the same players easily back,” he said.

Injuries have also forced changes, with Thapelo Morena unavailable and Thalente Mbatha returning after his own injury absence. Mosimane said players such as Lyle Foster and Mbokazi, who performed at the World Cup, also deserved opportunities to rejoin the group.

“Everyone knows, as I said you’re only as good as the last game. If you are injured you need to have somebody to play in your position. we also need to encourage who come and play. Yes, the quality might not be the same, but we have a country to choose from.”

Mosimane’s message is that past performances and reputation cannot guarantee a place. Players must remain available, perform when selected and respect the competition for positions as Bafana prepare to face Kenya.