Lucky Lekgwathi gives Orlando Pirates leadership his backing
Orlando Pirates have appointed 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi as a vice captain, earning praise from club legend Lucky Lekgwathi (pictured centre), who emphasises that age is just a number in leadership. Picture: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
It’s not often that a football club entrusts leadership duties to a teenager, but that’s exactly what Orlando Pirates have done, and the move has drawn praise from Bucs legend Lucky Lekgwathi.
Pirates have appointed 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi as one of the club’s vice captains for the new season.
While Mbokazi’s appointment has raised a few eyebrows, it’s clear that new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is ready to show faith in his youngsters.
Speaking about Mbokazi, Lekgwathi told Sowetan: “Before the club announced the captain, someone asked me to choose five players who could lead, and Sibisi and Mbokazi were on my list.
Lekgwathi Defends Mbokazi’s Youthful Leadership Potential: “Age is Just a Number”
“And that person said 'ahh, Mbokazi is too young', and I told him age was just a number.
“If you recall in the 2002/03 season, OJ Mabizela was the captain and he was very young (he was just 22 years old) ... in fact, he's the youngest Pirates captain in history, so Mbokazi can also do it. It has always been Pirates' tradition to believe in young leaders.”
The 49-year-old Lekgwathi certainly knows plenty about Pirates as he spent 12 years with the club after joining in 2002. In that time, he racked up over 300 caps and remains one of the finest defenders in Pirates’ rich history.
Pirates, of course, will be hoping to end the incredible reign of Mamelodi Sundowns as they have won the last eight league titles in a row. It’s difficult to see Pirates usurping the Sundowns throne in the Betway Premiership though, as the Brazilians remain the richest club in the land by some distance.