Blow for Bafana as Mbokazi ruled out for rest of MLS season
Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has suffered a major setback after being ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season with a thigh injury.
Chicago Fire director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed on Apple TV’s Leagues Cup pre-match show that the South African centre-back is expected to miss the rest of the campaign. Mbokazi will not be placed on the season-ending injury list but will be sidelined for at least the club’s next six MLS matches, making a return this season highly unlikely.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding debut season in the United States since joining Chicago Fire from Orlando Pirates before the start of the campaign.
He has made 13 appearances in all competitions, starting 12 of those matches, and quickly established himself as one of the club’s key defenders. His impressive displays also earned him a place in the 2026 MLS All-Star squad before he was forced to withdraw because of the injury.
Mbokazi sustained the thigh injury during training last month and is expected to undergo surgery.
His absence is also a major blow for Bafana Bafana. The defender is now set to miss South Africa’s September fixtures, when the national team begins its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign under a new head coach. Mbokazi was one of Bafana’s standout performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing every minute as South Africa reached the Round of 32 before being eliminated by Canada.
Chicago Fire still have experienced centre-backs Jack Elliott, Joel Waterman, Sam Rogers and Christopher Cupps available as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
