Star centre back Mbekelezi Mbokazi has been given a stern warning by South Africa coach Hugo Broos after arriving late for the start of Africa Cup of Nations preparations in Pretoria.
The 20-year-old missed his flight from Durban to Johannesburg to join up with the training camp on Tuesday.
He had been given a few days off after helping Orlando Pirates win the Carling Knockout in Polokwane on Saturday and immediately went home to KwaZulu-Natal before being due back.
“I am not pleased with what he did,” Broos told a press conference on Wednesday. “He let us know he missed his flight from Durban yesterday.
“It was the coach of Pirates (Abdeslam) Ouaddou who informed me. He was very angry that Mbokazi missed his flight. These were his (Ouaddou’s) words, that it was an ‘unprofessional attitude’.
“Then Pirates sent me a nonsense message. I will not tell you what it was but it was nonsense. It is worse that the club protects the player.
“This is very bad. You are a 20-year-old guy, and you have been called up to play in the AFCON and in the World Cup next year. We give you a few extra days off … (but) if someone has a good attitude they don’t want the days off and are here on Monday.”
Broos says he has already addressed the situation with the player.
“I will have a chat with him after training. He is a black guy, but when he comes out of my room, he will be white (with fear).
“I know why he missed the flight. Suddenly, he thinks he is a star. This is the attitude of a star: ‘I decide when I come’.”
Broos also criticised Mbokazi’s decision to join Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer from next year.
“What is he going to do in Chicago?” Broos asked. “They are not even a top team in America. But I know what happened. A nice little woman who is his agent (Basia Michaels) and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing now.
“They are saying, ‘How much money can I get?’ If they were clever, they would know it is the AFCON and a World Cup coming, and other teams are better (choices).
“What will he do in a big city like that? No, I don’t think it is a good choice.”