Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has taken aim at teenage midfielder Mbekezeli Mbokazi after the Orlando Pirates youngster missed his scheduled return flight from Durban, delaying his arrival at the national team camp in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Broos told journalists gathered at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre that he had been alerted to the incident by Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who was also displeased with the player’s actions. Mbokazi had been given a brief break following a busy fortnight that saw him help Pirates clinch the Carling Knockout title and seal a contract with the Chicago Fire in the United States.
The Belgian coach said the 19-year-old’s decision to miss the flight showed poor judgement, particularly at a time when he is preparing for continental and global competitions. Broos added that he intends to address the matter privately with the player after training, describing the behaviour as unacceptable for someone aiming to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.
Broos also questioned Mbokazi’s move to the American Major League Soccer side. He suggested the timing could limit the midfielder’s chances of attracting interest from stronger leagues once he features on bigger international stages. He attributed the decision to influence from the player’s agent, whom he accused of chasing financial gain instead of considering the long term impact on the youngster’s career.
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