With Orlando Pirates outstanding in defence since the introduction of Mbezekile Mbokazi, club legend Moeneeb Josephs has explained why.
The Buccaneers have been solid at the back since Mbokazi has been starting matches, as they have conceded only one goal in four games in the league and that was against Mamelodi Sundowns.
With the 19-year also featuring from start to finish against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, the Soweto giants did not concede over two legs.
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The only match Pirates leaked goals with the KwaZulu-Natal native defender in the line-up of late, is the 2-2 draw against SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals and even then, he scored a goal.
It was suggested by pundits that Jose Riveiro's charges are hard to score against, since he has been playing with a three-man defence.
However, according to Josephs, it has to do with the fact that Ezimnyama now have the balance, tactically, of a left-footed centre-back in Mbokazi.
"A left footer in any position is a rare breed, they just offer you, especially as the modern game has evolved, there is so much emphasis on the build up play, so he (Mbokazi) brings that balance," Josephs said on SoccerBeat YouTube Channel.
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"When you build on the left, you have comfortable play, you have more passing options. When it's a right-footed player and you play to the left and he has to come to his right foot and teams plan according to that as well. Modern coaches are more interested in the build up play.
"A left-footed centre-back is hard to press, because he has all those options on his natural side. It adds value to the team. In the old days a left or right footed centre-back his job was just to clear and tackle but the modern day centre-back has to play, he's the start of the attack, because it's structured. And for a 19-year old, where would we be speaking about a comfortable 19-year old, especially in an important position like this?" Josephs raved.
Mbokazi has received backing from pundits and legends to receive a Bafana Bafana call-up.
