South Africa defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi returns from injury after three-month lay-off

South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has made his return to competitive football after spending three months on the sidelines with an injury.

The Chicago Fire centre-back made his long-awaited comeback in the early hours of Monday morning, featuring as his side secured a 1-0 victory over Charlotte in Major League Soccer.

Mbokazi’s return comes as a major boost for both Chicago Fire and the defender’s hopes of returning to the South Africa national team, having missed out on the latest Bafana Bafana squad due to his lengthy spell on the treatment table.

South Africa began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a positive note on Sunday, defeating Guinea 2-1 in their opening Group D fixture.

While Mbokazi was unavailable for the encounter, his return to action could put him back into contention for future international assignments if he can maintain his fitness and build up his match rhythm.

The defender’s recovery has come earlier than initially anticipated, with expectations that he could be ruled out for the remainder of the year following his injury.

However, his return has arrived much sooner, allowing him to get back on the pitch before the end of the MLS campaign and potentially give himself enough time to work his way back into the national team picture.

Mbokazi’s availability will also be welcomed by South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane, who could consider the defender for upcoming Bafana Bafana camps once the current international window is over.

The 21-year-old has previously been regarded as one of South Africa’s promising defensive talents, and a sustained run of fitness at club level could strengthen his case for another international opportunity.

For now, Mbokazi’s immediate priority will be to regain his sharpness and establish himself again in Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire team after his extended absence.

His successful return against Charlotte marks an important first step in that process and could potentially pave the way for a return to the Bafana Bafana setup in the coming months.