Chicago Fire confirm signing of Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi will leave Orlando Pirates in January after Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire confirmed his signing.

The 20-year-old will occupy a U-22 initiative slot on the American club's international roster position, and has put pen to paper on a deal until 2029, with an option for the 2029/30 season.

“We are excited to welcome Mbekezeli to the Club as we further strengthen our back line,” said Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.

“In his young career, he has already shown high potential and proven himself to be a strong leader and competitor on the international level. We expect immediate impact and room to grow in future.”

The Hluhluwe-born player has had an impressive rise over the last year with the Buccaneers, having made his first team debut during the 2024/25 Premier League season.

After being promoted from their Diski Challenge team, he has gone on to play over 35 matches in the Betway Premiership and the CAF Champions League.

While he has Cup experience from participating in Pirates’MTN 8, Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup campaigns.

In terms of honours, Mbokazi won the 2025/26 MTN 8 after they beat Stellenbosch3-0 in September's final.

Mbokazi has also become a Bafana mainstay after making his debut in May 2025 in a 2-0 friendly win over Mozambique.

His assured performances have also seen him named in Hugo Broos’ 25-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

At the youth level, he was part of the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup squad.
South Africa won that tournament to qualify for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which they won.

The transfer for the 20-year-old, who is affectionately nicknamed TLB, also comes after Broos told him to make the move to Europe in order to develop his game.

“If you see the quality and the talent of Mbokazi, I’m very sorry to Pirates, but this guy has to go away next year. He will become better when he plays good competition and at a higher level,” Broos said back in October.
“If he stays here, it will become too easy for him because he’s good. He needs another motivation, another challenge. That makes him better.”