Mbekezeli Mbokazi of South Africa during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations South Africa Training at TS Laarbi Ben Mbarek in Marrakech, Morocco on 28 December 2025 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix
Friday Feb 13, 2026. 13:36
South African international Mbekezeli Mbokazi has opened up about his move to Chicago Fire and his time at the club so far.
The 20-year-old, who was appointed Orlando Pirates vice captain at their start of the 2025/26 campaign, signed a deal with the MLS side which will keep him in the Windy City until December 2029, with the club having the ability to extend for a further year.
He joined up with his new team for pre-season camp in January after the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and has been hard at work ahead of their season opener against Houston Dynamo on 22 February.
Speaking to members of the media on Thursday evening, Mbokazi thanked his former club for allowing him to leave and made clear that he wishes to make South Africa proud from abroad.
The centre-back also expressed that the move is already paying off, and has already enabled him to grow as a player.
“Moving from Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire has shown me a lot of growth as a player. I would like to thank Orlando Pirates for giving me this opportunity, and for letting me go showcase my talent in another country and in another environment,” Mbokazi said.
“I won’t disappoint my countrymen, the people who support me back home, and I certainly won’t disappoint the Chicago Fire family and the people who support me who have welcomed me with warm hands.”
“The growth that I have seen moving from my country – I was more comfortable playing in a local league, but I feel like playing in a foreign country or playing in another league will be a good challenge for me and I won’t disappoint. Whatever the Chicago Fire FC saw in me is definitely what I am capable of and I’m willing to do more.”
The young star opened up about comments made by Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who questioned the move and whether it would be beneficial for Mbokazi. The player described the criticism his move provoked as a difficult time, as many would have liked to see him move to Europe.
“Well, it was very difficult when people were talking back home saying different things. But we persevered because I’m a young player, I’m still very young. So, age allows me to explore different things and to explore my talent at a higher level.
“I enjoy being here. I deserve to be here and I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to be here,” Mbokazi said.
“Everything has its own time. I’m still enjoying my time here as a young player, and if I need to go to a higher league or if I need to go somewhere else, that will happen on its own time. But for now, I enjoy being here and I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to be here.”
The youngster will be looking to impress in the MLS and retain his spot in the Bafana Bafana starting line-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By Nic Gleeson