Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou says that, as far as he is aware, powerful defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi remains a Buccaneers player.
Mbokazi missed Pirates’ 2-0 win over Chippa United in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
As Pirates went joint top with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, Nkosinathi Sibisi partnered Lebone Seema at centre-back in that match, fuelling speculation that Mbokazi could be on his way out of the Soweto giants.
The defender recently travelled to the United States, where MLS side Chicago Fire are reportedly prepared to pay a transfer fee of around US$3 million (approximately R52.14 million at the current exchange rate) to secure his services.
This follows Mbokazi’s remarkable rise since making his PSL debut in March under former coach Jose Riveiro. He has become one of Pirates’ most consistent performers this season.
He was appointed the club’s vice-captain during the off-season and has worn the armband whenever Sibisi has been unavailable.
Mbokazi’s progress has also carried over to the national stage. He has cemented his place as a Bafana Bafana starter, with coach Hugo Broos praising his rapid development, remarking that he had “never seen anything like it before.”
“What I can tell you is that I’m not aware of any news that he is leaving the club,” Ouaddou said after the match.
“For me, Mbokazi is still part of my group. Today [Tuesday], as I’ve said, I needed to rotate the players. He is one of the most important members of the squad.
“For me, he is still with us — he’s still my player.”
Since being promoted to the first team last October, the 20-year-old defender has made 37 appearances in all competitions for Pirates, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
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