Bafana Bafana Settle Mbekezeli Mbokazi Disciplinary Issue as AFCON Preparations Intensify

Bafana Bafana have resolved the disciplinary issue with Mbekezeli Mbokazi, allowing the team to focus fully on their AFCON preparations.

South Africa's assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele, has confirmed that the disciplinary issue concerning defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been resolved, allowing the team to focus entirely on their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

Bafana Bafana are in the final stages of their preparations for the tournament, which kicks off in Morocco in two weeks.

The team is scheduled to play one last friendly match against Ghana next Tuesday in Dobsonville before their departure.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

The controversy arose after the former Orlando Pirates centre-back reported late to the national team camp. Mbekezeli Mbokazi missed his flight from Durban for reasons that head coach Hugo Broos chose not to make public.

Helman Mkhalele Address Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s Issue

Speaking at the team's farewell event in Johannesburg on Thursday, Helman Mkhalele assured the media that the matter was now closed.

"I won’t go into the specific details," the former South African international stated, as quoted by IDiski Times.

"But I can say that the issue has been resolved. It was important for us to handle situations like this to ensure we can continue with our preparations without disruption." He concluded firmly, "So, the issue of Mbokazi has been settled."

Hugo Broos Slams Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos publicly and vehemently criticised the promising young defender, primarily for his unprofessional conduct in reporting late for the national team's pre-AFCON training camp.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi was granted a brief extension but still missed his flight from Durban, only linking up with the squad in Pretoria a day late.

A visibly angry Broos, speaking at a press conference, labelled the late arrival an "unprofessional attitude," suggesting Mbokazi was displaying ‘star’ behaviour after his recent success.

Beyond the disciplinary issue, Broos also questioned Mbokazi's recently secured transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire, which he believes is a poor career move for a player of his talent.

The Belgian coach suggested the move was driven by the financial gain of the player’s agent rather than the best interests of his development, arguing that better opportunities would arise after the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.

“And I think I spoke already to you about the 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 for his unprofessional attitude,” Hugo Broos said.

“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.”

Hugo Broos, known for his firm stance on discipline, promised to have a stern discussion with the player, emphasising his commitment to maintaining a high standard of professionalism within the national team setup as they prepare for major tournaments.