Mbokazi brothers: AmaZulu move in for teenage defender after World Cup star’s rise

Amazulu are weighing up a move for 18-year-old defender Zanathi Mbokazi, younger brother of South Africa World Cup standout Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi, after the teenager’s standout displays at a national youth tournament in Durban.

The Betway Premiership club have brought the youngster into training following his performances at the Engen Knockout Challenge, with insiders suggesting the Durban side are seriously considering offering him a contract.

Both brothers emerged from the uMkhanyakude Football Academy, a development hub that has now produced a player on the world stage – and potentially another on the brink of top-flight football.

AmaZulu assess teenage centre-back

A source close to the Mbokazi family told Soccer Laduma that Zanathi has been working with AmaZulu’s first team under head coach Arthur Zwane and his technical staff, who are believed to be impressed by what they have seen so far.

“He is trying, and they want to sign him. There are actually two players from the academy, but you know how football things work,” the source revealed.

“His name is Zanathi, he is 18 years old, and like his older brother, he is also a left centre-back,” the source added.

Zanathi’s preferred position mirrors that of his elder brother, with both operating as left-sided central defenders – a profile often in demand at elite level due to the balance it brings to the back line.

AmaZulu were approached for official comment on the possibility of signing the teenager, but the club had not responded at the time of publication.

From academy pitches to the World Cup

The story of the Mbokazi brothers underlines the growing influence of South African academies in shaping international-level talent.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who also came through the uMkhanyakude Football Academy, shone on the global stage last month when he represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup. Featuring in Group A, the defender helped Bafana Bafana progress to the round of 32, enhancing his reputation as one of the country’s most promising players.

His performances at the tournament drew wider attention and have cemented his place abroad. Following the World Cup, the elder Mbokazi has remained in the United States, where he plays in the red and white of Chicago Fire.

Family legacy drives new opportunity

The possibility of Zanathi following his brother into the professional ranks adds a new chapter to the family’s rapidly growing football story.

While no deal has yet been finalised, the teenager’s invitation to train with AmaZulu’s first team is seen as a significant step towards a breakthrough in the South African top flight, especially given the club’s apparent enthusiasm.

With two uMkhanyakude academy products now firmly on the radar – one already established overseas and another now under close scrutiny in Durban – the academy’s role as a “breeding ground” for elite players is set to come under increasing spotlight from clubs searching for the next Mbokazi.