From Mbokazi to Okon: South Africa’s next generation of defensive talent emerges
Big future After making a move to Germany, Ime Okon was recently called up to represent Bafana Bafana, but had to be withdrawn from the squad due to injury. The 21-year-old has a big future ahead of him. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
South African football fans will be in no doubt that in Mbekezeli Mbokazi, the country has one of Africa’s top defensive prospects, with growing recognition on the global stage.
Week after week, the 19-year-old proves his quality on the pitch. On Tuesday, he put in another impressive performance when he kept Adeola Lookman, one of the deadliest in the Italian Serie A, subdued for 90 minutes in Bafana Bafana's World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, which ended 1-1.
What was more impressive was that Lookman is a seasoned professional with 10 years of senior football experience, while Mbokazi was relatively unknown up until January of this year.
Mbokazi is attracting widespread attention, but several other young defenders are also making an impact in South African football.
IOL Sport examines the other defensive prospects who could have Bafana Bafana’s head coach Hugo Broos feeling like a child in a sweet shop, spoiled for choice.
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Big future Kaizer Chiefs' Aden McCarthy passes the ball during a recent Betway Premiership match. The 21-year-old has been tipped for a big future. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Image: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Aden McCarthy (Kaizer Chiefs – 21 years old): Young Aden has had a good start to life in the Kaizer Chiefs first team. He’s been in the heart of defence as the team have kept five clean sheets in as many games.
Football icon Doctor Khumalo even suggested Aden – son of former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy – would have received a Bafana call-up if he hadn’t picked up an injury ahead of the international break.
McCarthy has been praised for his positional awareness, as well as his passing and ability to keep things simple.
Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns – 21 years old): Khoza played 30 games in all competitions for Sundowns last season and did not put a foot wrong as the club won another league title.
He featured in every match for South Africa B at the recent African Nations Championship. He is a good passer of the ball, and his technical abilities mean he can also contribute in midfield.
His 1.91m frame makes him dominant in aerial duels, and very difficult to knock off the ball.
Khulumani Ndamane is another of South Africa's impressive young defenders making a name for themselves in the Betway Premiership. Photo: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix
Image: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix
Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy – 21 years old): Ndamane has impressed in the colours of TS Galaxy, and has done enough to deserve a call-up for the senior national team. However, he’s yet to feature for Bafana Bafana. Broos is definitely keeping an eye on him.
His consistency has been widely praised, and TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic likens his play to that of a 20-year veteran.
Ime Okon (Hannover 96 – 21 years old): Okon recently completed a move from SuperSport United to Hannover 96 in Germany, and has been turning heads with his performances. He was recently called up for the senior national team but had to be withdrawn after picking up an injury.
Okon’s athleticism makes him stand out. His speed is something that runs in the family as well. His brother is a sprinter who won a gold medal in the 400m at the World U20 Championships last year.
Tylon Smith was named the best player at the tournament at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations last May. The 20-year-old recently completed a move from Stellenbosch FC to Queens Park Rangers in England. Photo: Mohamed Tageldin/Middle East Images via AFP
Image: Mohamed Tageldin/Middle East Images via AFP
Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers – 20 years old): While he still has very little experience in senior football, Smith is a name very familiar to South African football fans.
In the recent Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Smith was Amajita’s best player, and was a defensive rock at the back as the team won the title for the very first time. He’s since completed a move to QPR in England, and all eyes will be on him once again at the Under-20 World Cup beginning in a little over two weeks.
He has all the qualities of a modern defender. He’s confident in possession and is a good passer.
Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs – 23 years old): Capetonian Dortley was making good progress at Kaizer Chiefs before his campaign was unfortunately cut short by injury last season.
After making the move up to Johannesburg from Cape Town Spurs, Dortley established himself quickly and became a regular starter in the Amakhosi team. His form for the club convinced Broos he was ready for international football as well.
Before his injury, he was a regular starter for both club and country. He’s on the mend and is expected back in action soon. His return to action is something South African football fans should all be excited about.
Philadelphia Union's South African defender Olwethu Makhanya is seen keeping on Lionel Messi during a MLS game against Inter Miami. Photo: Rich Storry/Getty Images/AFP
Image: Rich Storry/Getty Images/AFP
Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union – 21 years old): Makhanya came to the world’s attention earlier this year when he outmuscled global icon Lionel Messi in a Major League Soccer clash against Inter Miami.
Despite being only 21, he’s been a rock in defence for The Union, who sit at the top of the Eastern Conference in MLS.
Like many of the young defenders, Makhanya is good with the ball and is powerful and difficult to dispossess, which means getting past him is no easy task. Messi will attest to this.
IOL Sport