'Prestigious Teams Are Calling' – Mbekezeli Mbokazi's Agent Opens Up On Transfer Interest

Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, has revealed to SportsBoom that there have been enquiries from prestigious clubs for the Bafana Bafana and Chicago Fire defender, following what has been an impressive maiden FIFA World Cup for the 20-year-old.

Mbokazi’s Future

Mbokazi was one of the standout performers for South Africa in their historic 2026 FIFA World Cup run, where they progressed to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time.

The 20-year-old defender remained rock solid against some of the world’s best attacking players, not losing composure and winning most of the duels as he made an impression.

Basia Michaels, Mbokazi’s agent, has revealed to SportsBoom that they have received enquiries about the 20-year-old, but there haa not been offers yet, contrary to what many reports have suggested following Bafana’s World Cup campaign.

“There's been enquiries. There haven't been offers. I haven't received a single offer in writing. I've gotten a lot of enquiries from really great teams, prestigious teams,” Michaels told SportsBoom.co.za.

“If you ask me, I really never imagined speaking to some of the people that I'm speaking to right now. But once again, they are enquiries.”

The agent says that the most important thing would be to find the right club and league for him at the right price, and believes that he is good enough to play in some of the world’s best leagues.

“Mbokazi has had a great (FIFA World Cup) campaign. The club has to be the right club. The league has to be the right league,” she added. 

“The price has to be the right price because Chicago Fire bought him. And the evaluation of the player and what they're willing to pay the player has to be what we want to accept." 

“The most important thing is to find him in a league, for me personally, a top five league. I believe Mbokazi deserves to play in the Champions League; there's no question about it." 

“I also believe that he deserves fair value. I don't have this concept that I've come across several times, and I've explained it before, where I want a certain figure for him and then it's like, ‘no, but he can't get that.’

“No, why not? Because other people are getting it. Be it that they're European or be it that they come from North America, South America, wherever it is. The reality is I want fair value for him.

“Yes, he is a South African. Yes, he is a young man from a very rural area, that's all great. But his playing ability has improved in leaps and bounds. Ultimately, that's why I find myself in the position that I find myself in, wanting fair value for him.”

In another recent interview with SportsBoom, former Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete expressed his pride in Mbokazi’s rise, backing the young defender to attract interest from Europe’s biggest clubs after showcasing his talent on the world stage.

MLS Move

Michaels received a lot of backlash when it was announced that Mbokazi would leave Orlando Pirates to join Chicago Fire in the Major League Soccer.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos led the critics, voicing his frustration as, at the time, he could not see Michaels’ vision. 

However, after playing in the MLS for a little over half a year, Mbokazi has evidently matured in his decision-making and in how he handles high-pressure moments.

Michaels told SportsBoom that research indicated that the MLS has a high number of imports into Europe, a feat that she believed was ideal for Mbokazi.

“The fact that Hugo had to say what he said about Mbokazi and the deal to Chicago Fire has proven to be contrary if we look at it. Mbokazi has grown in leaps and bounds. The exposure is amazing, and the exposure to outside leagues as well,” she said.

“Coming straight from the PSL into Europe is not as highly respected as we want it to be. I wouldn't have made a move to the MLS if I hadn't seen the prospects of it and the success that it would bring. Without a doubt, it has brought him the right amount of success." 

“If you look at the numbers, I had all the numbers. I did the work, and I checked the assessments. The MLS imports the most players into European leagues. It's not something that we're doing in South Africa." 

“I’m very proud of the fact that a player like Rele (Mofokeng) stood on a world stage and said, yes, my league is also the best league. Because it's time people take note of it." 

“It's time people stand up and take notice of the fact that our forefathers and everybody who's put the work into the league have put amazing work into this league. But it's not being credited. Why? Because we're looked at as Africans." 

“When people walk into West Africa, they can spend $50,000 and get a player and take a chance on a player at $50,000. But we're not a $50,000 league. We're a league that demands millions for our players. Players should be compensated," she concluded.