Orlando Pirates star Mbekezeli Mbokazi has agreed a move to Chicago Fire in the MLS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 20-year-old has penned a deal keeping him in the Windy City until 2029, with the MLS club having the option to extend the deal for the 2029\/30 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are excited to welcome Mbekezeli\u202fto the Club as we further strengthen our back line,\u201d said Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter in a statement released on the club\u2019s official website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mbokazi broke into the Orlando Pirates first team at the back-end of the 2024\/25 season, starting in the Nedbank Cup final. He earned his first international cap during the international break in a friendly against Mozambique and made three appearances in South Africa\u2019s successful FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The youngster was voted as vice-captain of the Buccaneers, by his teammates, at the start of the 2025\/26 season and stepped into the captain\u2019s role during Nkosinathi Sibisi\u2019s injury, helping guide the squad to a fourth consecutive MTN8 title. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMbokazi\u2019s growth has been nothing short of meteoric,\u201d read a statement released on Pirates\u2019 official website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn his debut year as a professional (5 March 2025), he has already lifted his first piece of silverware with the Mighty Buccaneers and, on the international front, earned a call-up to the senior national team. Such has been his impact that he is widely expected to be part of the squad heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mbokazi will remain at Pirates for the remainder of 2025 and is expected to appear in a Buccaneers jersey for the final time in the Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants in Polokwane this weekend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mbekezeli Mbokazi is taking his talents to the USA, joining Chicago Fire of the MLS.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1017,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,29],"tags":[55,108,119,56],"class_list":["post-1016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international-news","category-local-news","tag-betway-premiership","tag-mbekezeli-mbokazi","tag-mls","tag-orlando-pirates"],"yoast_head":"\n