Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi risks “losing momentum” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup if his proposed transfer to Major League Soccer goes ahead.
This is the warning from former midfielder and current football podcast host Michael Morton who worries how much emphasis Bafana coach Hugo Broos places on the American league.
Speaking on the Pirates podcast, Morton said: “My main concern is… Hugo Broos has not spoken too glowingly about the MLS and doesn’t think it’s a step forward. “With the World Cup right around the corner, that’s just my one concern.”
The highly rated 20-year-old is close to completing a transfer to ML side Chicago Fire for a transfer fee in the region of $3 million should negotiations be finalised.
Morton pointed to recent examples to underline his point. “I look at someone like Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who’s playing in MLS – he hasn’t even had a look-in for South Africa. When Njabulo Blom was there, playing well, no one really cared about his performances.”
He fears Mbokazi’s progress could suffer simply because the league is not closely followed in South Africa. “My worry is that he goes there and South Africans don’t really have an eye on the MLS… that he doesn’t keep that momentum going.”
However, Morton admits Broos rates the young centre-back highly. “I think Hugo Broos rates him really highly. I’d be very interested to hear his opinion on this move because he’s been quite opinionated when certain players have chosen certain career moves.”
However, co-host and ex-Orlando Pirates brand and sponsorship manager, Joe Bertrand believes Mbokazi’s talent may force the national coach to adapt.
“I’m sure Hugo Broos is actually fuming to read the reports,” he said. “But Mbokazi is one of the first players he’ll put on a team sheet. He will now have to look at the MLS.”
He stressed how special the 21-year-old is. “He’s such a generational talent for me. He can be one of the best centre backs Africa has ever had, in my opinion.”
“If he plays regularly in Chicago, he’ll play at the World Cup. Broos will work around that. He has to – Mbokazi is too good to be overlooked.”
According to Soccer Laduma, Hlongwane is on an annual salary of $1.142m (R24m), while Olwethu Makhanya is on a reported $288,875 (R5m), begging the question how much Mbokazi potentially stands to earn.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
