Hugo Broos praises Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi for Bafana Bafana's at the World Cup

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a hard rock defender.

Mbokazi of yesteryear and that of today are two different players.

Mbokazi of today has shown tremendous improvement from the player he was in the past.

This is according to national team coach Hugo Broos.

"Mbokazi is a great player who has progressed a lot compared to a year ago. He has been getting better and better and I hope that he goes to a bigger competition where he is more challenged and then he can become even better than what he is right now. I think the future of Bafana Bafana defenders is secured," said Broos ahead of the last-32 World Cup match this evening against Canada.

The Belgian coach said Bafana's run at the global showpiece has been a success as they have gone past the group stages for the first time in history.

"We can say this World Cup is already a success for us. Everybody expected and hoped that we would reach the second round and now we are here. However, once you reach this stage you want more. If we show the same level we produced against South Korea, we stand a very good chance of defeating Canada," he addded.

The game against Canada starts at 9pm South African time.