Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Mbekezeli Mfanufikile Mbokazi (born 19 September 2005), is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire and the South Africa national team.

Club career Orlando Pirates He captained the Pirates DDC team in the PSL Reserve in 2024. Mbokazi made his Orlando Pirates senior debut on 5 March 2025 in a 1–0 win over Chippa United. He won his first man of the match award with Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns with him credited for a great defensive showing on 16 March 2025.

He captained the team in a pre-season friendly against Pafos F.C. from Spain at just 19 years-old and become the youngest captain for the Buccaneers after Mbulelo Mabizela at 21 years-old in the 2002/03 season. He was made vice-captain in the 2025/26 season.

Mbokazi made his continental debut in the 2025–26 CAF Champions League when he captained the side in a 3–0 win against Lioli from Lesotho. In the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup, he scored the winner in the round of 16 match against Siwelele to send the club into the quarterfinals. He later won the October 2025 goal of month for his strike. He ended his stay at Pirates by captaining the club in their 2025 Carling Knockout Cup win against Marumo Gallants in the final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 6 December 2025 and won his second trophy with the club after their 2025 MTN 8 triumph earlier in the season.

He was nominated for the young player of the year award at the 2025 CAF awards. He won the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup player of the tournament after captaining the bucaneers to the Carling title.

Chicago Fire In December 2025, he was signed to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire FC with the deal running until 2029 with a club option for the 2029-30 season. He was included in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game but was ruled out with a thigh injury.

International career Mbokazi was selected for 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup with the South Africa national under-20 soccer team that won the tournament and qualified for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. He played all matches in the tournament and scored the fifth goal in a 5-0 win over Malawi.

In May 2025, Mbokazi got his first senior international call-up for the two friendly games against Tanzania and Mozambique, where he ultimately made his debut in a 2–0 win against Mozambique. He was called up again for the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in September 2025. He played both games and ultimately had a man of the match performance in the 1-all draw against Nigeria.

On 1 December 2025, Mbokazi was called up to the South Africa squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored his maiden international goal in a 2–1 loss to Panama on 31 March 2026. He was also included in South Africa's preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and was ultimately included in the final 23 man squad. He played in the starting line-up of all four of South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup games.

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 31 March 2026 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa 1–1 1–2 Friendly

Honours South Africa

COSAFA U-20 Challenge Cup: 2024 Orlando Pirates

MTN 8: 2025 Carling Black Label Cup: 2025 Betway Premiership: 2025–26

Individual 2025 Carling Knockout Cup: player of the tournament MLS All-Star: 2026