Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s performance against Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations adds further credence to his statement about his move to Major League Soccer.
The 20-year-old who has emerged as one of the finest defensive prospects in African football has joined Chicago Fire in the MLS, in a lucrative $3-million transfer from Orlando Pirates, where he won three trophies since being promoted to the first team.
Broos stated that it was perhaps not the right move for his career to move to America and suggested it was perhaps financially driven by his representative, in a controversial outburst in the first press conference when AFCON camp started earlier this month which also included the Belgian questioning his professionalism after arriving late after their Carling Knockout Cup success with the Buccaneers.
“There were some angry people when I said a few weeks ago that it was not the best choice for him, you saw why [against Egypt], he was my Man of the Match, the way that guy played,” Broos said about his performances, when asked by iDiski Times about his reaction to Broos’ calling out his professionalism.
“One thing in my mind still from the second half there was a deep ball to Salah, and he went in for the duel, Salah had no chance, no chance and that shows the quality of Mbokazi.
“You now understand why I’d be very angry if he ruins his career. This is a guy who can have a very big career, a very big career.”
Mbokazi played the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Angola and the 1-0 loss to Egypt, the two Group B games for the Bafana squad at the 2025 AFCON.
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