Perhaps one will accuse me of talking more about the recent game between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns FC at FNB where the red hot Colombian striker Bryan Leon helped himself with a brace to help the Brazilians close to the gap on the Buccaneers to three points with a game in hand. I’m someone who can watch the same match three times even when I already know the results because I’m trying to gather my facts before coming here to share with you.

Now, there’s one thing that really makes Mbekezile Mbokazi arguably the most complete centreback of his generation in PSL and that’s because despite his technical quality to pass the ball short or long with precision and strike from range accurately while possessing the capacity to drive with the ball and step into the midfield with ease, still retains 100% traditional defensive traits of tackling, Man-marking, heading, blocking and intercepting.

Most modern defenders that we have that are highly technical enough to deserve a trial in Barcelona, are somehow lacking in the aspect of traditional defensive traits especially by going one vs one for 90 minutes with the opposition’s most dangerous attacker. Mbokazi has pride in defending collectively and as an individual against some of the best strikers in the continent as shown in his first season playing CAF champions league league containing top strikers in the continental competition and locally at home.

Mbokazi would have bet on himself to ensure that the deadly Colombian striker doesn’t get a goal at FNB because he has that pride of defending and fighting until the end dying with his boots on in the pitch. He would refuse to be taken out especially when playing against some of the most fearsome strikers because he believes so much in his defensive qualities and that’s something that I didn’t see on Sibisi or Seema on Wednesday evening. They were just ready to defend collectively but noboday said to himself “this Colombian guy will know that he has reach dead-end against me” . Before Mbokazi, the last defender who had that defensive pride at Bucs was Edwin Gymah who would rather take a red card than allowing the opponent to score. Currently, we are only left with guts who are too nice.