Broos on Mbokazi’s Move: ‘I Don’t Think It’s a Good Choice’

By Benjamin Nyirenda

JOHANNESBURG – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has raised concerns about Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s move to Major League Soccer, saying the switch may not serve the 20-year-old defender’s development.

Mbokazi recently signed for Chicago Fire, but Broos told journalists at a press briefing at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre that he is not convinced the move was the right one. He added that he has been informed the youngster may end up playing for the club’s second team in MLS Next Pro.

“I can tell you what I think. What is he going to do in Chicago? It’s not even a top team in America,” Broos said. “And if my information is right, don’t quote me, because I still need to confirm this, they told me he will play in MLS 2, the second team of Chicago. I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s what I’ve been told. I will ask him when I see him.”\

Broos did not hold back when speaking about Mbokazi’s agent, accusing her of prioritising financial gain over the player’s long-term prospects.

“That little woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing: ‘How much can I get?’ If she is a bit clever, she knows there is Afcon and next year there is a World Cup. There would have been better teams for his career, not Chicago. What is he going to do alone in such a big city?”

Reports suggest the player’s camp chose Chicago Fire’s R51 million offer after interest from Europe came at a much lower valuation.

Broos has previously overlooked players who moved to MLS, including Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Njabulo Blom, both of whom were part of his squad before heading to the United States.