Today’s Orlando Pirates news wrap looks at the imminent sale of Mbekezeli Mbokazi to Chicago Fire. The MLS side is ready to spend close to R52 million on the player.
The Sea Robbers also claimed three important points in their quest to win a first league crown since 2012.
Here’s today’s news wrap.
Mbokazi to earn big in the MLS if Orlando Pirates exit is confirmed
According to Soccer-Laduma, the Chicago Fire will offer Mbekezeli Mbokazi a handsome wage in the MLS.
“Given that Chicago would be investing around $3 million in transfer fees alone, Mbokazi would almost certainly land in the upper financial bracket for U22 signings. Realistically, his annual earnings could fall anywhere between $300,000 (R5.2 million) and $900,000 (R15.5 million), depending on bonuses, guarantees, and performance clauses. MLS salaries, publicly available through MLS Players Association releases, consistently show that players signed for fees above $2 million rarely earn on the lower end of the scale. Mbokazi’s status as a Bafana Bafana international and a regular at Pirates further strengthens his value. Chicago Fire’s new coach Gregg Berhalter favours athletic defenders in possession-based systems, and the club would view Mbokazi as a first-team asset rather than a development gamble.”
Orlando Pirates keep things moving in the league
A workmanlike 2-0 win over Chippa means that the Buccaneers move joint-top of the Betway Premiership. The goals came from substitutes Evidence Makgopa and Oswin Appollis, while another substitute, Kabelo Dlamini, claimed an assist. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side can go top by themselves if they avoid defeat away to Durban City on Saturday, 29 November.