It’s generally accepted that Bafana star Mbekezeli Mbokazi will soon outgrow the MLS. Can the ex-Orlando Pirates man flourish in Italy or England?

At €20m, Bafana star Mbokazi would be a bargain

In today’s financial climate, elite clubs can part ways with €20m (R369 million) and not consider it much of a risk. In the case of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, the 21-year-old central defender is already starting to outgrow his surroundings in the United States MLS at Chicago Fire. What are his next stepping stones?

Mbokazi player profile

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a physically gifted central defender with crisp distribution skills and an ability to bring the ball out of defence. Mbokazi makes up for his lack of height with electric recovery speed. He has the potential to become a truly elite defender in a system deploying three centre-backs, if picked alongside one (or two) taller players. Like Lisandro Martinez at Man United, Mbokazi is superb one-on-one with a low centre of gravity. This means that his relative aerial weakness isn’t much of an issue.

Is Nottingham Forest an option for TLB?

After leaving Crystal Palace, Austrian coach Oliver Glasner has joined Nottingham Forest. Glasner guided Palace to their first-ever major trophy in 2025, winning the FA Cup against Man City. In the 2025-26 campaign, Palace won the Europa Conference League, another huge achievement for the Londoners and Glasner, who is a strong proponent of playing three at the back. It’s a system where Mbekezeli Mbokazi would thrive, so it’s no wonder that strong links to Forest have surfaced. The Tricky Trees would benefit greatly by signing a man with legs like tree trunks.

Ex-Orlando Pirates man could thrive in Milan

Although Napoli are keen, defending Italian champions Inter would be the ideal destination. Although Alessandro Bastoni is a popular player for them, Mbokazi could displace the 27-year-old and claim the left-sided role in theirc central defensive trio alongside experienced Swiss star Manuel Akanji and the physically gifted German Yann Bisseck. Strikers have tended to fill their boots lately in Serie A. Mbokazi, therefore, would be a busy boy in a league that’s no longer a defensive division like it was in the 90s.

VERDICT: Inter

When will Mbokazi return for Bafana?

Mbokazi was cut down by a thigh injury in July and was initially expected to be out for the remainder of 2026. However, the stocky left-footer is back ahead of schedule. TLB, as he is affectionately known, made a goal-line clearance to preserve the points for the Fire away to Charlotte in his comeback match. Recently, he won a popularity contest against Leo Messi. TLB could be in contention for Bafana’s AFCON qualifiers in November.

Orlando Pirates GEAR UP for a double-header

Next up for the defending champions is the second leg of their CAF Champions League qualifier against African Stars on Friday, 23 October. The Buccaneers hold a 1-0 aggregate lead, and kickoff is at 19:30. After that, it’s the small matter of a Soweto Derby with Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, 31 October at 15:30.