‘Really Nonsense’ - Bafana Bafana Boss Blasts ‘Unprofessional’ Orlando Pirates Defender

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has slammed Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi over what he terms unprofessional behaviour after the player arrived to camp late.

Bafana Bafana started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations preparations in Pretoria on Monday and players have been arriving as per their schedules.

However, Mbokazi turned up way past his scheduled arrival time and gave an excuse that left Broos furious, leading to harsh criticism from the veteran Belgian coach.

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“Mbokazi, he just arrived or will arrive in 15 minutes,” Broos told the media at the Bafana camp on Wednesday.

“I didn’t want to talk about it, but you asked the question, and you have the right to know that I’m not pleased about it.

“He let us know that he missed his flight yesterday in Durban, it was the coach of Pirates who informed me. And he was very angry that he missed his flight because, and that’s his word, ‘it’s an unprofessional attitude’.

“And I think I spoke already to you about unprofessional attitude of South African players. Again, an example of it. Then Pirates sent me a message with nonsense – really nonsense, why he missed his flight and I will not tell you what they said – and that is the worst thing that a club protects the player of his unprofessional attitude.

“This is South Africa, and this is very bad – very, very bad. When you’re a 19-year-old guy and you receive a call-up from the national team for AFCON, and to play World Cup next year, and the coach gives you a few more days off, if you are somebody with a good attitude, you don’t even want those two days and you are here on Monday with the other players,” added a disappointed Broos.

Broos promised to have a not so good talk with the young defender, who is set to join MLS club Chicago Fire, after AFCON 2025.

“So, I will have a chat with him after training,” said the veteran Belgian coach. “And I can assure you he is a black guy, and he will get out of my room as a white guy. Because that I can’t accept. But I know why, I know why. Suddenly Mboki is a star – he thinks he is a star.”

“This is the attitude of a star, ‘I will decide when I come’. I will explain it to him. I’m very angry, very angry about his attitude,” said the 73-year-old tactician.

South Africa have a friendly match with Ghana on December 16, a day before they depart to Morocco, where they will play Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe at the December 21 to January 18 tournament.