Mbekezeli Mbokazi #14

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Mbokazi’s rise has been rapid. The bulky defender only made his professional debut in early 2025, but quickly became a key player for Orlando Pirates, captaining the side at a young age, before being signed by MLS side Chicago Fire at the start of this year. The move caused a storm as South Africa coach Hugo Broos attacked the decision, arguing Mbokazi should have joined a better club in a better league in Europe. Broos attacked the motivations of agent Basia Michaels – “a nice little woman who thinks she knows football” – and said he would give Mbokazi a dressing down for arriving late to a national team training camp: “I will have a chat with him. He is a black guy. He will get out of my room as a white guy. Because that I can’t accept. He thinks he is a star. This is the attitude of a star: ‘I will decide when I come.’ I’m very angry about his attitude.” Broos later apologised, saying his “choice of words was not the right one", but insisted he "never wanted to make a racist or sexist comment" and was "neither a racist nor a sexist". They made peace in time for this summer. Mbokazi, a left-footed centre-back, is a huge asset to the squad. Known for his terrific work ethic, he properly earned his nickname “TLB”, in reference to the heavy-duty, all-round agricultural vehicle, the tractor loader backhoe.

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