THE youngest player in Bafana Bafana’s 2010 World Cup, Bongani “Model C” Khumalo, has advised Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi, who is the ‘youngest’ this time, not to skimp on this competition because it could be his stepping stone to the most respected teams in the world.
Khumalo, who scored a goal for Bafana against France in the last match of Group A in 2010, said this while speaking to the media in Pachuca where he was going to play a friendly against the Mexican side.
Bafana will face Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup tomorrow at 9 pm at Azteca Stadium, Mexico City.
Mbokazi from Hluhluwe who is on the books of Chicago Fire FC playing in the Major Soccer League (MLS), is expected not to be left behind in the scheme of the coach, Hugo Broos, who will start the game.
This player is in the headlines these days following his entry into the season’s team, the MLS All Star Team, which includes players including Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC and South Koroea in the Bafana group and Leonel Messi who plays for Inter Miami FC and Argentina.
“Mbokazi’s talent forces you to be aware of him, so the same thing will happen to the international teams that will be at the World Cup to punish the likes of him.
“What I pray for is that he has a good competition because if that doesn’t happen, it might be those who admire him who will turn him away.
“I wish that he doesn’t change the way he plays or add to it. I wish him the best, even though I have a reaction to him.
“Football lovers in South Africa know how to build you up but if they want to get rid of you, they can do it easily.
“A lot is expected of Mbokazi even though he is young, but the ability given to him by the Creator may be what keeps him away from what I am responding to.
“This may be his chance to attract teams that are considered to be hundreds in European football, which is the dominant one in the world,” said Khumalo.
The way Mbokazi played well in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco explained many who follow world football even though Bafana came out of the Last 16.
When Mbokazi was signed by Chicago Fire, many including the former captain of Orlando Pirates, Lucky Lekgwathi, explained this as the wisdom of this team in the USA since if he plays well in the World Cup, there are many chances that he will attract teams that play
in the UEFA Champions League.