Mbokazi, the 20-year-old rising star, made headlines in December 2025 when he transferred to Major League Soccer‘s Chicago Fire, shortly before leading his former team to victory in the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants. Having impressed as a teenager both with Orlando Pirates and within the Bafana Bafana squad under coach Hugo Broos, many anticipated a move to Europe would be next for the young player. His choice to join the MLS surprised many observers and ignited widespread discussion.
Strong Criticism From Coaches and Media
The announcement of Mbokazi’s move to Chicago Fire drew significant criticism from football pundits and media outlets, but the harshest remarks came from national coach Hugo Broos. Broos labeled the decision as ill-advised, stating that the transfer had inflated Mbokazi’s ego. He also disparaged Chicago Fire, calling it “not even a Cup team,” intensifying the backlash against the young player. These comments provoked a defensive response from both Mbokazi and his representative, underscoring the tension created by Broos’ critique.
Mbokazi Addresses the Criticism Directly
Speaking to the South African Football Journalists’ Association (SAFJA) and reported by iDiski Times, Mbokazi openly confronted the negative remarks he faced.
I think it becomes difficult when you hear how people speak where I come from,
he said, highlighting the personal challenges of dealing with public scrutiny.
Mbokazi emphasized that reaching the highest level of professional football is no simple task and stressed patience in his career development.
But what people must learn or know is that it’s not that easy to go to highest level than where I am now. What I can say is, I’m still young and I’m growing. Everything will happen when the time is right.
He continued to express confidence in his future progress, refusing to be rushed into premature “big moves” just to meet external expectations.
He added,
“Yes, people wish us well but we won’t rush to get, we need to start somewhere first.”
Mbokazi explained that he is happy with his present situation and views the MLS as a place of valuable growth and learning.
When the time has come for me to go where I wanna be, I’ll go, I won’t rush to get there. I’m also thankful for the opportunity, so that I can be able to reach the level that people want me to reach,
he concluded.
Agent Basia Michaels Responds to Controversy
Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, also publicly addressed the critique from Hugo Broos, particularly pointing out the negative tone of the national coach’s comments. Speaking to SABC Sport, Michaels acknowledged the conversation she had with Mbokazi before he signed the MLS deal and underlined his confidence in maintaining his place in the national team.
For me, I can tell you that there’s no question about the fact that it was sexist. I’m not going to speak on behalf of Mbokazi, that he can do on his own,
she remarked, drawing attention to the gendered undertones she perceived in Broos’ criticisms.
Michaels criticized Broos for his public skepticism about the league itself, regardless of Mbokazi’s performances.
Hugo Broos can make his decisions the way he wants to. It doesn’t matter how well Mbokazi plays in the next four months because Broos has made his dislike for the league known, which I think is very sad,
she added.
She cautioned Broos against making further disrespectful comments, reminding him that his past achievements do not grant him freedom to disparage Mbokazi, Orlando Pirates, or Kaizer Chiefs.
I’m saddened by Hugo’s comments, and yes, I didn’t note any kind of apology that came from him,
Michaels explained. She concluded emphatically,
Hugo has done so well for us as a country, but that does not allow him to be disrespectful towards me, Mbokazi, or even Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs,
reinforcing the view that respect must be maintained regardless of differing opinions.
What’s Next in This Heated Exchange?
The sharpshooting remarks by both sides have raised questions about how the ongoing debate will evolve. Hugo Broos, known for his sensitivity to criticism, has some time before the national team’s next fixtures scheduled for late March to respond or reflect on the statements made by Mbokazi and Basia Michaels. With the tension visible, many will watch closely to see if the coach addresses the controversy or remains silent.
Meanwhile, Mbokazi appears to be settling well in his new club. Chicago Fire’s head coach Greg Berhalter has already lavished praise on the young midfielder during pre-season preparations. In a friendly against LA Galaxy, Berhalter commented on Mbokazi’s performance, noting,
He was very good in the duels, had some good build-up play, and overall delivered a strong performance.
Mbokazi is set to make his MLS debut on February 22 as Chicago Fire begins their league campaign against Houston Dynamo. This marks a significant milestone in his career as he aims to use this platform to develop further and reach the heights expected of him by fans and critics alike.
