Analysis: Amid Broos’ taunt, Mbokazi’s Chicago Fire export players to Chelsea

South Africa coach Hugo Broos’ apology for sexist and racist remarks over Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s transfer to Chikago Fire has doused the inferno.

However, the fundamental issue that triggered the Belgian’s remarks lingers on. It all started with the late arrival in the national team camp of the Pirates’ defender ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco.

The AFCON-winning coach threw the baby Mbokazi and the water away by not only condemning his lack of punctuality but also his transfer to Chicago Fire in America.

Broos’ message was clear: The young defender had enough potential to hang on after the forthcoming AFCON and secure a better deal elsewhere.

For starters, the Belgian has never been afraid to step on people’s toes with painful truths.

Should Mzansi keep quiet at the sight of its finest being shipped to the Chicago Fire in America?

Should a country that was so good it scored a first in Africa by hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup be contented with having Burnley FC’s Lyle Foster as the only top-notch export to a major league in Europe?

Broos is brutally right and honest. Three decades after South Africa started exporting Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga straight into Leeds United starting line-up and the likes of Mark Fish and Shaunt Bartlett to Chartlton Athletic, should the Major League Soccer (MLS) be the destination of the PSL’s cream like Mbokazi?

“I will tell you what I think. What is he going to do in Chicago?” Broos told the media in Pretoria.

“It’s not even a top team in America. And if my info is right, don’t quote me, but they told me he will play in MLS 2, the second team of Chicago. I don’t know if it’s the truth; I will ask him when I see him. That is even worse.”

Long after the Belgian will be gone, honest-hearted ones would certainy remember him for being a rare voice of reason.

History will judge fairly the former Cameroonian coach for refusing to overrate the Betway Premiership and it’s average stars who are portrayed as being in the same league of class with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by a section of the overzealous media.

Brutal truth is: Mbokazi should be boarding a flight to London, Madrid, Turin or Paris to sign for a recognizable club.

Why it is not all doom and gloom for Mbokazi

However, let’s douse the fire: Chicago Fire is not all doom and gloom—if their recent transfers are anything to go by.

The MLS side has just announced the conclusion of the transfer of midfielder Brian Gutiérrez to LigaMX side Club Deportivo Guadalajara in Mexico.

In a statement, Chicago Fire says the agreement with Chivas marks the third multi-million-dollar agreement for the transfer of a player aged of 22 or younger in inside three years.

“Homegrown goalkeeper Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina was transferred to Chelsea FC in 2022, and Colombian forward Jhon Duran joined him in the Premier League at Aston Villa in 2023,” reads Chicago Fire’s statement.

What does this mean for Mbokazi?

It means the South African ,too, could soon find himself securing a transfer to a bigger team in a bigger league if …

For Mbokazi to take the next step in his career, he needs to earn regular football with Chicago Fire, and nothing is guaranteed.