Online Reporter
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has taken direct aim at Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s switch to MLS side Chicago Fire, questioning both the timing and the wisdom of the transfer while accusing the youngster of allowing stardom to get to his head.
The 20-year-old defender arrived late to national team camp this week, a move that infuriated Broos, who publicly chastised him for what he described as “acting like a star” despite still being at the beginning of his professional journey.
But the Belgian saved his strongest words for Mbokazi’s new chapter in the United States, launching a scathing assessment of the decision.
“I will tell you what I think. What is he going to do in Chicago?” Broos told the media in Pretoria.
“It’s not even a top team in America. And if my info is right, don’t quote me, but they told me he will play in MLS 2, the second team of Chicago. I don’t know if it’s the truth; I will ask him when I see him. That is even worse.”
Broos then doubled down, shifting his criticism towards the player’s representative.
“I know what happened. A nice little woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing. How much can I get?” he continued. “If she is clever, she knows there is AFCON and next year the World Cup. There would’ve been better teams for his
career than Chicago. What is he going to do alone in a big city like that? I don’t think it’s a good choice.”
Mbokazi, who remains contracted to Orlando Pirates until the end of 2025 before officially joining the Fire, has been among the country’s brightest prospects over the past year.
However, with the national coach publicly questioning both his professionalism and the move itself, the youngster now finds himself under intense scrutiny as he prepares for the most significant year of his career.
-Soccerladuma
