MLS Hijack: Chicago Fire Beat Chiefs and Sundowns to Puso Dithejane

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Premier Soccer League (PSL), TS Galaxy sensation Puso Dithejane is reportedly headed to the United States. Despite intense interest from local heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, the 21-year-old playmaker is set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire.¹

The move sees Dithejane reunite with former teammate Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who recently made the switch to the Windy City.²

The Numbers Behind the Hype

Dithejane has been in scintillating form for TS Galaxy this season, proving why he is one of the most sought-after young talents in South African football.

How Chicago Fire “Stole” the Deal

For weeks, the narrative suggested a two-horse race between the “Big Three” of South African football. However, the allure of the MLS and a clear career path abroad seem to have won out.

• The Chiefs’ “Charm Offensive”: TS Galaxy Chairman Tim Sukazi recently revealed that Kaizer Chiefs had gone to great lengths to bring their former junior star back to Naturena.³ Sukazi noted that Dithejane’s phone was buzzing with missed calls from Kaizer Motaung Jr. and scout Tera Maliwa, while Bobby Motaung even reached out to the player’s father.
• The Sundowns Rejection: SABC Sport reported that Mamelodi Sundowns had their own formal offer rejected by the Rockets, as the club seemingly prioritized a move that would benefit the player’s international growth.
• The MLS Factor: Chicago Fire moved decisively. By securing Dithejane, they continue a growing trend of MLS clubs scouting directly from the South African top flight.

Tim Sukazi’s Stance

While the move to Chicago appears imminent according to SoccerBeat, Tim Sukazi has remained professional regarding the process. He previously emphasized that while he doesn’t mind teams speaking to players, the final word rests with TS Galaxy.

“If Kaizer Chiefs [or any club] come to us, we will sit down and listen to what they put on the table. But at the moment, Puso is a TS Galaxy player.” — Tim Sukazi

With the deal reportedly finalized, the focus now shifts to how Dithejane will adapt to the high-intensity environment of North American soccer alongside Mbokazi.