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Did you know? Mbekezeli Mbokazi

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Mbekezeli Mbokazi of South Africa celebrates his goal during the 2026 International Friendly game between South Africa and Panama at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on 31 March 2026 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

SoccerClub takes a look at five things you might not have known about Bafana Bafana and Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Mbokazi is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in South African football, earning growing attention for his composure, defensive awareness, and rapid rise through the ranks.

1) HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Mbekezeli Mbokazi was born in Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal, near the famous Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park where visitors from all over the world come to look for the ‘Big 5’. His first club was a KwaZulu-Natal fourthtier side, Makhasa FC, before he joined the Langalibalele Sports Academy in Durban. From there he was scouted for Orlando Pirates’ Diski Challenge team.

2) SOUTH AFRICA U20 STAR

Mbokazi first came to the attention of many when he was a star player at the COSAFA Under-20 Championships in Mozambique in 2024. He partnered centrally in defence with Tylon Smith, and South Africa did not concede a single goal in the competition as they went on to lift the trophy. Club commitments meant he was not released for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, which South Africa also won, or the Under-20 World Cup later that year.

3) PROFESSIONAL DEBUT

Mbokazi made his professional debut for Pirates against Chippa United on 5 March 2025, where the Buccaneers won 1-0. Just 11 days later, he claimed the Man of the Match award in a 2-1 win against Mamelodi Sundowns. By then he had already scored his first senior goal, which came in a penalty shoot-out victory over SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup. He was a regular starter from his debut until he left Pirates in January this year. His only other goal was a screamer for the Buccaneers against Siwelele in the Carling Knockout.

4) BAFANA DEBUT

Just 93 days after making his Pirates debut, Mbokazi earned his first cap for Bafana Bafana in a 0-0 draw with Tanzania. He has largely been a fixture in the side ever since, barring when he was suspended after a red card against Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers. He has nine caps to date and played every minute of Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco.

5) PASSING RANGE

Mbokazi’s passing range has been described as his ‘superpower’ by respected football publication FourFourTwo. His ability to set the tempo from centre-back with both short or long passes makes him a highly valuable player. Tactical intelligence, ball carrying and physicality are also among his strong points.