Mbokazi’s former coach recalls emotional World Cup breakthrough

Three years ago, Mbekezeli Mbokazi was an unknown young player at Langalibalele Sports Academy. In 2026, the 20-year-old, known as ‘TLB’, had become one of the most prominent emerging figures in South African football – and his former coach Wonder Mnguni says he was overcome with emotion when Mbokazi appeared at the FIFA World Cup.

Mbokazi completed a high-profile move from Orlando Pirates to Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire in January 2026. He then represented Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the speed of his rise from academy football to the international stage.

Mnguni, who is chairman and coach of Langalibalele Sports Academy, believes Mbokazi’s development might have taken a different path without his own intervention. He told KickOff that the defender was not widely known when he first arrived at the academy.

“When he came to Langalibalele Sports Academy, no team knew him,” Mnguni said.

“Pirates did not really scout him as a raw talent – I’m the one who called the coach and told him about this boy. Because of his talent, I made sure I opened doors for him.”

Mnguni played an important role in bringing Mbokazi to the attention of Orlando Pirates and helping him move towards professional football. That connection made the player’s appearance at the World Cup particularly meaningful for the academy coach.

“It was unbelievable for me when I saw him playing at the World Cup, because I played a key role in getting him to where he is,” Mnguni recalled.

“So when I saw him playing at the World Cup, tears were all over my eyes. I could not believe that it was me who gave this boy a platform.”

Mbokazi’s progress did not distance him from the place where his career began. After completing his World Cup campaign with Bafana Bafana, he returned to Langalibalele Sports Academy to thank the people who had supported him during the early stages of his journey.

Mnguni said the player’s return was made even more memorable when Mbokazi arrived in an expensive car.

“When he came back to Langalibalele and called me and said, ‘Hey coach, I’m here. It was unbelievable,” Mnguni shared. “When I saw him driving a big car like that, I said, ‘Hey, God is great.’ My soul was happy.”

The reunion also strengthened Mnguni’s determination to continue developing young footballers. He said Mbokazi’s achievements had provided encouragement for the academy’s ongoing work, while acknowledging that several people had contributed to the player’s rise.

“It was not only me who played a part in his rise, but I played a key role in him becoming a professional and an international player,” Mnguni said. “I was blessed and happy. That gave me encouragement to continue grooming boys and to go and learn more about football. It encouraged me a lot to see the boy doing that and coming back to us.”