Mali made the comments while reflecting on how Mbokazi, who trained with AmaZulu before joining Pirates, went on to establish himself as one of South African football’s most promising defenders.
The young centre-back’s rapid rise has brought renewed attention to how clubs identify and develop emerging talent, particularly when competing against teams with different squad needs and opportunities for promotion.
Mali: You cannot have every player
Mali said scouts should not be discouraged when players they identify eventually sign for rival clubs, arguing that recruitment decisions must be assessed in the context in which they are made.
“I always tell young scouts, if you’re scared to lose players, you have not scouted. You know players come and go, you cannot have them all,” Mali said.
He acknowledged that hindsight often makes recruitment decisions appear straightforward, but stressed that clubs must make choices based on the information and circumstances available at the time.
Mali also clarified that he was not working at AmaZulu when Mbokazi first came to the club, explaining that he initially saw the defender playing for Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge side and later with the national youth team.
Why Pirates proved the right pathway for Mbokazi
According to Mali, the opportunities available within a club’s first-team squad can be just as important as identifying a player’s ability.
He suggested that even if Mbokazi had signed for AmaZulu, the defender might not have received the same opportunity to progress into senior football because of the team’s needs at that particular time.
At Pirates, however, circumstances created an opening for the youngster. Mali pointed to an injury suffered by Thabiso Sesane as a factor that helped Mbokazi get his chance during the season.
“Sometimes context is important, because maybe at the time, even if he played at AmaZulu, maybe the chance for him to be promoted, because of the needs of the first team, was minimal and perhaps the country would not have seen him,” he explained.
The comments highlight the importance of considering a young player's pathway into senior football rather than judging a scouting department solely on whether it secures a particular signing.
Mbokazi’s rise attracts attention
Mbokazi’s development has been remarkable, progressing from youth football to Orlando Pirates’ senior team and earning recognition at international level with South Africa.
The defender previously trained with AmaZulu before Pirates secured his services. His performances subsequently demonstrated the value of providing young players with opportunities to establish themselves in competitive first-team football.
Mali praised both the player’s footballing qualities and his character, describing him as an exceptional talent.
“What a career Mbokazi is having. What a player! Amazing player, amazing human being. The things that he does at his age, the ability at the highest level is something I’ve never seen,” Mali said.
A lesson for South African football scouting
Mali’s comments offer a broader perspective on recruitment in South African football, where clubs compete to identify promising youngsters and provide the right environment for their development.
A player moving to a rival club does not automatically mean the original scouting assessment was wrong. Squad depth, timing, coaching decisions and opportunities in the senior team can all influence a young footballer’s progress.
For AmaZulu, Mbokazi’s success is a reminder of the fine margins involved in youth recruitment. For Pirates, his rise demonstrates how an opening in the first team can help transform a promising prospect into an established player.
Mali’s central message is that scouting involves accepting uncertainty: clubs cannot sign every talented player, and recruitment decisions should be judged by the circumstances at the time rather than solely by what happens years later.