McKenzie defends Mbokazi’s MLS move amid Broos backlash

The debate over the trajectory of South African football talent has reached the highest levels of government, with Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie publicly clashing with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

The point of contention is Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s recent high-stakes move to the Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer, a transfer that Broos believes happened too soon and in the wrong direction.

Broos recently voiced his frustration with the move, suggesting that the former Orlando Pirates standout is of a calibre that belongs in the elite leagues of Europe. The national team coach argued that Mbokazi’s representatives should have exercised more patience to secure a move to a UEFA-affiliated league, fearing that the United States might not offer the same level of competitive development for the key Bafana Bafana defender.

Minister McKenzie, however, has offered a staunch defence of the deal, viewing it through the lens of modern football economics and global growth.

McKenzie Backs Mbokazi’s American Dream Against Broos’ European Preference

He dismissed the idea that the MLS is a step down, instead characterizing it as one of the most rapidly expanding markets in the world, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. McKenzie emphasized that the move was a massive financial victory for South African football, describing Mbokazi as the highest-paid player in the country’s history and noting that no domestic talent has ever been sold for such a substantial figure.

Addressing the concern that the move might isolate Mbokazi from European recruiters, McKenzie argued that the transfer actually increases the player’s market value. He pointed out that moving to the US does not preclude a future move to Europe, but rather ensures that any European club wanting his services will now have to pay a premium. He cited the career of Benni McCarthy as proof that players can move through various global leagues successfully if the talent is there, famously stating that Mbokazi is not in prison and remains a liquid asset in the global market.

The Minister also took the opportunity to champion the work of agent Basia Michaels. He praised her for outmaneuvering male counterparts in a competitive industry and securing a life-changing deal for the player. While Hugo Broos remains focused on the technical requirements of the national team, McKenzie’s stance reflects a broader pride in the commercial recognition of South African talent on the world stage.