Mbekezeli Mbokazi returns for Chicago Fire after three-month injury absence

Mbekezeli Mbokazi has returned to competitive football after three months out with a serious thigh injury, featuring as Chicago Fire beat Charlotte 1-0 away in MLS action.

The 21-year-old centre-back’s appearance came in the early hours of the morning and marked his first match since June, when Bafana Bafana lost 1-0 to Canada in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.

Mbokazi suffered a severe thigh tear during training after returning to club football in July. He underwent surgery in Finland in August and was subsequently sidelined.

His absence meant he missed South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, along with the friendly against Egypt.

The injury also halted potential interest from Europe. Unnamed clubs had reportedly been monitoring Mbokazi after the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

South African team-mate Brody Williams was an unused substitute for Chicago Fire in the victory over Charlotte.