The defender has recovered from a serious thigh injury sooner than expected and played 80 minutes in MLS, but Bafana fans will have to wait a little longer to see him in green and gold.
“TLB” is back in business. Mbekezeli Mbokazi played 80 minutes for Chicago Fire in their win over Charlotte at the weekend, returning well ahead of schedule from a thigh injury picked up in July. He was initially expected to be out for the rest of 2026.
He wasted no time making an impact, producing a goal-line clearance away at Charlotte to protect the points for the Fire. In the same round, former Burnley and Orlando Pirates striker Lyle Foster made his debut for Houston Dynamo, where he is on loan from Championship side Burnley.
When will Bafana see him again?
South Africa have started life under Pitso Mosimane with two AFCON qualifying wins. Next up is a friendly against Egypt on Sunday, 4 October at 20:00, which Mbokazi will miss. He is expected to return when Bafana face Kenya in an AFCON qualifier in November.
Appollis keeps delivering
Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis has become Bafana’s go-to creative outlet. He claimed a hat-trick of assists in the 5-0 win over Eritrea on Wednesday, the first time a South African player has done so since Appollis himself managed it against Congo in 2024. He has also started the Betway Premiership season well, with two goals and two assists in seven appearances.
What do you make of Bafana’s performances under Mosimane so far? Tell us in the comments.
