Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has cleared the air on the issue that saw Hugo Broos publicly criticise outgoing Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The talented centre-back is on his way to the Major League Soccer [MLS] to join Chicago Fire FC after completing a big transfer from the Soweto giants.
Mbokazi will officially move to Chicago Fire after the conclusion of the 2025 AFCON in January, which is taking place in Morocco. The KZN-born defender has been a rock in Pirates’ defence in the current campaign, playing a major role in their impressive start to the season.
The 20-year-old star gained promotion from Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side to the senior team in March 2025. Since arriving in the first team, Mbokazi has been on a steady rise to prominence, producing solid performances in the heart of defence.
At the start of the 2025/26 season, Mbokazi bagged himself the vice-captain position at Pirates, a move that showcased his impact at a young age. This season, Mbokazi has featured in 20 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal, chipping in with one assist, and also played a big role in leading the Sea Robbers to the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup titles.
MBOKAZI ARRIVED LATE IN BAFANA BAFANA CAMP
On Wednesday, Mbokazi received heavy criticism from Bafana head coach Hugo Broos for arriving in camp late after missing his flight from Durban to Johannesburg. The Belgian mentor alleged that Mbokazi is suddenly thinking that he’s a star.
Broos described the conduct of the young defender as “unprofessional” and also questioned Mbokazi’s overseas transfer.
Mkhalele has opened up on the saga involving Broos and Mbokazi, revealing that the issue is already out of the way and they are preparing for the highly anticipated Nations Cup.
“I won’t go to each and every point, but I would say that issue has been resolved because it’s important for us to make sure that we resolve issues like that in order to make sure that we continue with our preparations [for AFCON],” Mkhalele said. “So the issue of Mbokazi is behind us.”
Mkhalele was speaking at Bafana’s farewell event at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Thursday.
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