The agent of South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has hit back at national team coach Hugo Broos, who recently questioned the young player’s move to Major League Soccer, suggesting it reflected naivety.
Broos had publicly criticised QT Sports director Basia Michaels for facilitating Mbokazi’s transfer to Chicago Fire, arguing that the MLS is not competitive enough and warning that the defender would struggle to adapt “alone in a big city.”
Michaels dismissed the remarks as unfair and out of line.
“For me, I can tell you that there’s no question about the fact that it was sexist. I’m not going to speak on behalf of Mbokazi, that he can do on his own. Yes, we had a conversation before Mbokazi signed, and he is confident that his playing ability will still keep him in the squad.
“Hugo Broos can make his decisions the way he wants to. It doesn’t matter how well Mbokazi plays in the next four months because Broos has made his dislike for the league known, which I think is very sad.”
Michaels also questioned Broos’ sense of entitlement, noting that his status as national team coach does not give him license to be disrespectful.
“I’m saddened by Hugo’s comments and yes I didn’t note any kind of apology that came from him. Hugo has done so well for us as a country, but that does not allow him to be disrespectful towards me, Mbokazi, or even Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.”
She further rejected claims that Mbokazi had been misled into thinking he would play for Chicago Fire’s reserve team.
Michaels revealed that European clubs had shown interest after the recent AFCON, but the offers were not viable.
“Yes, Mbokazi deserves to play in Europe, there’s no question about it. Were there offers before the AFCON? Yes. Were the offers of fair value? Definitely not. Personally, I don’t think the offers were fair.
“After AFCON, I got a phone call for a loan deal which didn’t make sense, and the deal was already done with Chicago.”
