Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter has offered encouraging news regarding South African international defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Initial fears suggested the 20-year-old center-back would miss the remainder of the 2026 Major League Soccer campaign, but recent medical progress indicates he could feature before the end of the year.
Injury Timeline & Recovery Progress
Following a severe thigh muscle tear, Mbokazi traveled to Finland to undergo specialized surgery. After entering an intensive rehabilitation program in Chicago, Berhalter updated the media on the defender’s condition.
“I think the information I gave that he’s definitely out for the season was premature,” Berhalter noted following Chicago’s 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls. “He’s in a rehab program now and he’s progressing. There’s no exact timeframe for when he’s going to be back, but there is a possibility it is before the end of the season.”
Boost for Bafana Bafana’s 2027 AFCON Qualifiers
While Mbokazi will miss South Africa’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea in September, his accelerated timeline provides a major boost for head coach Hugo Broos. If his rehabilitation continues smoothly, the versatile left-footed defender could return to international action for Bafana Bafana’s November fixtures and the final qualifier windows in March.
