I don’t think it is a good choice – South Africa coach Hugo Broos slams Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s move to Chicago Fire

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has delivered a stinging assessment of Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s impending transfer to MLS side Chicago Fire, branding the move premature and poorly timed.

The Orlando Pirates midfielder, 20, is set to complete his switch to the United States after the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco later this month.

However, Broos believes the youngster and his management rushed into the decision, arguing that a strong showing at Afcon — followed by next year’s World Cup — could have opened doors to more competitive leagues.

“I will tell you what I think. What is he going to do in Chicago?” Broos questioned during a press briefing at the Tuks High Performance Centre in Pretoria.

“(Chicago Fire) is not even a top team in America. But I know what happens when an agent thinks she knows more than what many agents are doing. If she is a little bit clever, there is Afcon and next year’s World Cup, there will be other teams better for his career … not Chicago. I don’t think it is a good choice.”

The Belgian manager further expressed his frustration over Mbokazi’s late arrival to the national team camp, revealing the youngster missed his scheduled flight from Durban to Johannesburg on Monday and only reported two days later, fresh from helping Pirates lift the Carling Knockout Cup in Polokwane.

“It was Pirates coach [Abdeslam Ouaddou] who informed me [that Mbokazi missed his flight] and he was very angry, in his words, ‘it’s an unprofessional attitude’,” Broos said. “Pirates sent me a message explaining why he missed his flight.

“When you are a 19-year-old guy who received a call-up for the national team to play in Afcon and the World Cup next year, and the coach gives you a few days off, if you are someone with a good attitude, you don’t even want those two days, you are here on Monday like other players.

“I will have a chat with him after training … suddenly, he thinks he is a star. This is the attitude of a star. I’m very angry about his attitude.”

Mbokazi remains part of the provisional Bafana squad, but Broos’ comments signal a stern expectation of discipline as South Africa tighten preparations for the continental showpiece.