Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Basia Michaels says European clubs and agents are calling after Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s strong World Cup performances for Bafana.
- Chicago Fire are willing to sell the defender, but Michaels says any deal must help his long-term career.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s next move will not be rushed. The 20-year-old defender has attracted strong interest after his rise with Chicago Fire and Bafana Bafana.
His agent, Basia Michaels, says clubs and overseas agents are calling to ask whether a deal can be done.
Mbokazi joined Chicago Fire from Orlando Pirates only eight months ago.
The American club paid US$3-million, about R48.7-million, for him. His contract runs until 2029, with the option of one more year.
But Michaels told News24 that Chicago Fire are willing to sell if the right club comes.
“I’m grateful for the fact that clubs have reached out to Chicago or to me. Chicago’s willing to sell. I want to put that on the record,” said Michaels.
She said Chicago will not block Mbokazi if the next move is right for him.
“If a club comes and the team is right, the operations of that team are right, and the project is right we will sell,” she said.
Mbokazi’s stock has risen quickly. He started at Home Sweepers FC in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, before moving through Makhasa FC and Mtuba All Stars.
Orlando Pirates spotted him in 2023. He came through the club’s development ranks, shone for the DStv Diski Challenge team and made his senior debut in March 2025.
Within months, he was at Chicago Fire and trusted by Hugo Broos in the Bafana team.
Mbokazi played a big role for Bafana at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and helped South Africa reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time.
Michaels said the World Cup brought more attention, but warned that major international transfers take time.
She said Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was not completed because of the World Cup alone.
“The Relebohile deal didn’t happen because of the way he played in the World Cup,” she said. “It was pre-concluded. The World Cup was just the cherry on top.”
Michaels said club-to-club agreements, international rules and personal terms all take time.
“I really want to warn against putting timelines in place because these deals do not happen overnight,” she said.
She said Mbokazi’s move to Chicago Fire also took months to complete.
“It took me a good five months to get Chicago over the line,” she said.
Michaels said the goal is for Mbokazi to play in Europe for the next 10 to 15 years.
That means his next club must be the right step, not just the biggest rumour.
According to News24, Michaels has dismissed reports linking Mbokazi with Real Betis and Ajax Amsterdam.
“Mbokazi and I, we know where our end goal lies,” she said. “It doesn’t all have to be done at once, and that’s the most important thing that I think people need to realise.”
Pictured above: Mbekezeli Mbokazi has become one of South African football’s hottest young defenders.
Image source: Mbekezeli Mbokazi/Instagram
