South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has addressed Hugo Broos’ criticism of Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s move to the Major League Soccer.
Mbokazi signed with Chicago Fire late last year after impressing since breaking into Orlando Pirates’ first team.
In a space of just 10 months, he also became a key defender for Bafana Bafana and was part of the team that played the AFCON in Morocco.
Broos criticised Mbokazi’s move to the US, arguing that his agent should have waited for a better opportunity because he feels the centre-back is good enough to play in Europe.
McKenzie, however, disagreed, saying the MLS is growing fast and that any European club interested in Mbokazi would now have to pay more to sign him.
“Let me tell you something, the agent of Mbokazi did the best thing,” said McKenzie.
“I’m a soccer man and I can tell you for a fact, Mbokazi is the highest paid [player]. Nobody has ever been sold for that type of money in South Africa.
“Now, how do you say that he’s wrong [for moving to US]. Show me any other player that was paid that amount in South Africa, absolutely no one.
“If a European team wants him, let them buy him, he’s not in prison. Benni McCarthy went from Celta Vigo, he went from different teams – Ajax Cape Town, [Orlando] Pirates. People paid for him.
“So Mbokazi, why are we acting like Mbokazi is in jail now in the US League? And the US League is one of the fastest growing in the world.
“We mustn’t underestimate it and the fact that the World Cup is going there, brings attention to that league. So it was a great move for Mbokazi. So, I don’t agree with what Hugo Broos is saying.
“Mbokazi is one of the greatest defenders I’ve seen in defence. I bless that move and whoever wants him, should go buy him. If European teams want him, let them pay more. Mbokazi makes more money, everybody makes more money.
“I bless the move. And we mustn’t say to the agent [Basia Michaels] she doesn’t know what she’s doing. It’s also difficult for the lady when they do something. That lady has beaten all these male agents out there.”
