ORLANDO Pirates who are in contention for the Betway Premiership league title will face Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto home game for the first time without Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi who was the top of their back wall.
Pirates will face Chiefs in the Premiership on Saturday at 3.30 pm, at FNB Stadium, Nasrec.
Mbokazi (20) was promoted to the Pirates big scheme midway through last season from their DStv Diski Challenge team.
Despite his age, this centre-back player quickly established himself and showed signs of maturity in this Soweto club.
It has become history that Mbokazi, who played three matches for Soweto’s home team in Zimnyama last season, joined the USA team, Chicago Fire, who plays in Major League Soccer (MLS) in January.
After the departure of Mbokazi, Zimnyama signed Mpho Chabatsana from Marumo Gallants, a left-back with the aim of filling the void of TLB.
However, the space for this player is still visible as the coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, is playing with right-footed players such as Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lebone Seema. This makes the team not play well especially when they start the ball back.
Ouaddou also admitted to the media that there is a place for Mbokazi in Zimnyama.
We look at what will be seen in Mbokazi’s space tomorrow:
*To the rear wall:
Mbokazi knows how to call out to his teammates on the back wall, pointing out where they should close if he sees danger. This look is missing from the back wall of the Pirates.
This is a challenge for Sibisi who is the captain whose leadership is trusted in the Zimnyama scheme. If Sibisi does this well, few balls will reach goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
*Playing freely and without panicking in football:
Being comfortable when he is in possession of the ball and not having to worry about anything else is what made Mbokazi stand out on the back wall in this team, even under pressure. In addition, he is able to cut the ball in the stomach and open up spaces. Pirates will need a player who can play in this way in this home game in Soweto.
*Using tips:
Marking like a young man by strengthening his foot and using his legs has made Mbokazi stand out in the back wall of the Pirates for being the mainstay of the strikers who are a problem in the Premiership.
*Passing the ball well:
Mbokazi’s ability to pass the ball well, put it in the right spaces without breaking it are some of the things that make him an outstanding stopper. Able to pass close and long and this worked for the Pirates. Her departure means that Seema will be the only one to represent that job.
*Being a leader:
The leadership shown by Mbokazi in Zimnyama’s back wall made him vice-captain of the team, and he was the one who was given the armband when Sibisi was injured. His leadership was shown through actions and words. If things go wrong, which is likely to happen tomorrow, the Pirates will be sorely lacking in that part of the game.
Mbokazi expressed his happiness to join the Chicago Fire and it looks like he will get the scheme but his place will remain open in the match between Chiefs and Pirates today.