Written by: Kamogelo Mogale
MLS outfit have announced the signing of Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. The move to the MLS ends days of speculation about Mbokazi’s future after he recently travelled to the USA to seal the deal.
The Bafana Bafana international joins the American outfit on a four year contract with an option to renew by a year. He joins Fire as an Under-22 Initiative player, a mechanism that enables clubs to register up to four players aged 22 or below on high-value deals with a discounted impact on the budget.
Mbokazi, who has five caps for South Africa, made the final cut in the squad that was announced by coach Hugo Broos on Monday, that will go to the much anticipated Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
The Hluhluwe born player becomes the second youngest gem to leave the Soweto giants after Mohau Nkota. It has been agreed by both clubs (Orlando Pirates and Chicago Fire) that will remain with Orlando Pirates until the final official fixture of 2025.
He joins Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United) and Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) as South African players plying their trade in Major League Soccer.
Mbokazi will hope that his move to Chicago Fire will not see him losing his Bafana spot ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Broos does not hold he league in high regard.
