Mbekezeli Mbokazi exit puts Orlando Pirates’ title ambitions under threat
Orlando Pirates will have to play the second half of the Betway Premiership season without defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who will be moving to Chicago Fire after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Image: BackpagePix
Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and MLS outfit Chicago Fire both confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi will be moving to the United States after the Africa Cup of Nations.
The move represents a chance for the 20-year-old to get out of his comfort zone and test himself in a different country while adapting to a new culture.
Financially, the deal is a good piece of business by Pirates. They will pocket a reported R51 million, while Mbokazi – who will occupy a U-22 initiative slot and an international roster position – will see an increase in how much money he takes home. According to the MLS website, players in the U-22 initiative slot can earn a minimum of $150,000 (R2.5 million) a year.
When looking at the money, it becomes clear why the deal was made, and it makes sense. However, on the football side of things, it puts Pirates’ title hopes at a major disadvantage.
Ezimnyama ngenkani have made a brilliant start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign. After 12 games, they sit at the top and are everyone’s favourites to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as the perennial kings of South African football.
More importantly, with Mbokazi pulling the strings at the back, they have conceded just five goals in the league. With the MTN8 title already in the bag and the Carling Knockout final this weekend, it’s shaping up to be a strong season for the club.
TLB’s defensive strengths give Orlando Pirates vital stability, with his ball-winning ability and sharp reading of the game helping to break up opposition transitions before they threaten the back line. His discipline in holding his position allows the team’s more adventurous midfielders and fullbacks to push forward with confidence, while his physicality and aggression in duels set the tone in midfield battles.
Crucially, he is calm on the ball after winning it, playing simple, secure passes that help Pirates retain possession and rebuild attacks without unnecessary risk. Altogether, his presence provides a dependable shield in big moments and adds balance, control, and composure to the team’s defensive structure.
Without Mbokazi’s calming influence, Pirates might find it tough to keep opposition teams at bay. To unseat Sundowns, they need their best players available at all times. Losing Mbokazi halfway through the season will definitely not help their cause.
Pirates now face a defining test of their character and depth. Losing a player as influential as Mbokazi at this stage of the campaign could easily derail their momentum, but champions are measured by how they respond to adversity, not how they perform when everything goes their way.
And with their defensive anchor now set to depart just as their campaign enters its most demanding stretch, Pirates’ once-promising title charge suddenly looks far more fragile for the second half of the season.
IOL Sport
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