The transfer of defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates to
Chicago Fire represents a major, deliberate risk—one that could determine
his place in South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels of QT Sports, confirmed that the 20-year-old
made the move to Major League Soccer with full awareness of the potential
national team consequences. This is especially significant given Bafana
Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ well-documented reluctance to select players based
in the United States—a pattern seen with the likes of Njabulo Blom, Cassius
Mailula, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, and Olwethu Makhanya.
“We had this chat even before we signed,” Michaels told SNAWA. “I respect
Coach Hugo’s opinion. He who pays the piper plays the tune. And that’s
exactly who Coach Hugo is. He plays the tune. So we can’t have any qualms
with the choices that he makes.”
She admitted the potential exclusion from the national team was openly
discussed and accepted as a possible outcome. “We made the decision knowing
this could happen. Yes, we did. Mbokazi understands the ramifications of it.
But he’s also very determined to be the person that changes Hugo’s mind on
the MLS.”
With Mbokazi set to join Chicago Fire at the end of the current season, the
young defender now faces a dual mission: to succeed professionally in a new
league, and to challenge a deeply entrenched perception. His performance in
MLS will need to be compelling enough to shift the opinion of the national
team coach—a task that makes his American journey as much a personal
statement as a career move.
His challenge is clear: to perform at a level that even Broos cannot ignore,
turning a perceived risk into his greatest opportunity.
