Mbekezeli Mfanufikile Mbokazi (born 19 September 2005) is a South African soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire and the South Africa national team.
He captained the Pirates DDC team in the PSL Reserve in 2024.
Mbokazi made his Orlando Pirates senior debut on 5 March 2025 in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Chippa United. He won his first man of the match award with Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns with him credited for a great defensive showing on 16 March 2025.
He captained the team in a pre-season friendly against Pafos F.C. from Spain at just 19 years-old and become the youngest captain for the Buccaneers after Mbulelo Mabizela at 21 years-old in the 2002/03 season. He was made vice-captain in the 2025/26 season. Mbokazi made his continental debut in the 2025âÂÂ26 CAF Champions League when he captained the side in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Lioli from Lesotho. In the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup, he scored the winner in the round of 16 match against Siwelele to send the club into the quarterfinals. He later won the October 2025 goal of month for his strike. He ended his stay at Pirates by captaining the club in their 2025 Carling Knockout Cup win against Marumo Gallants in the final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 6 December 2025 and won his second trophy with the club after their 2025 MTN 8 triumph earlier in the season.
He was nominated for the young player of the year award at the 2025 CAF awards.
In December 2025, he was signed to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire FC with the deal running until 2029 with a club option for the 2029-30 season.
Mbokazi was selected for 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup with the South Africa national under-20 soccer team that won the tournament and qualified for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. He played all matches in the tournament and scored the fifth goal in a 5-0 win over Malawi.
In May 2025, Mbokazi got his first Senior International call-up for the two friendly games against Tanzania and Mozambique, where he ultimately made his debut in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Mozambique. He was called up again for the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in September 2025. He played both games and ultimately had a man of the match performance in the 1-all draw against Nigeria.
On 1 December 2025, Mbokazi was called up to the South Africa squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored his maiden international goal in a 2âÂÂ1 loss to Panama on 31 March 2026.
South Africa
Orlando Pirates