Langalibalele Academy talent attracting PSL interest after Mbokazi breakthrough

Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s rapid rise has helped open a pathway into professional football for players from Langalibalele Sports Academy, with several of his former academy colleagues now joining Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs.

Mbokazi became the first player from the KwaZulu-Natal-based development set-up to turn professional, according to the academy’s founder and former coach, Wonder Mnguni. Since his emergence at Orlando Pirates and subsequent move to Chicago Fire, a number of other Langalibalele players have secured contracts or places with PSL teams.

Mbokazi joined the Orlando Pirates reserve side before the 2023-24 season as an 18-year-old prospect. He spent only one campaign with the reserves before being promoted to the senior team.

The left-footed defender, who comes from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal, made his first-team debut in December 2024. He played the full 90 minutes as Pirates lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United under then-manager Jose Riveiro.

A further opportunity did not arrive until March 2025, but Mbokazi quickly established himself as a regular in the Pirates side. His performances coincided with the club’s run to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

After Abdeslam Ouaddou succeeded Riveiro, the defender was given an even more prominent role. The then-19-year-old was made one of the team’s captains, while his progress also earned him call-ups to Bafana Bafana.

Mbokazi continued to impress at the start of the 2025-26 season. By December 2025, Orlando Pirates had already agreed to sell him to United States club Chicago Fire.

Mnguni told KickOff that Mbokazi was the first player developed at Langalibalele Sports Academy to reach the professional game.

“Before him, no, he was the first one to go to a professional team from our academy, others came after him,” Mnguni said.

The academy had recommended another player, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, known as ‘Ox’, to Uthongathi before Mbokazi’s move into professional football. However, Mnguni said Uthongathi were not interested and Mthethwa subsequently joined Black Leopards.

“But he was not the first player we recommended, before him we did recommend ‘Ox’ (Sibongiseni) Mthethwa to Uthongathi but unfortunately they (were not interested) and he was taken by Black Leopards.”

Mbokazi’s progress has since been followed by a series of moves involving other Langalibalele graduates. Ntando Ngcobo has joined Orlando Pirates’ DDC side, while Banele Mnguni has moved to Polokwane City DDC.

Nkosinathi Thwala is with Kruger United DDC and Avele Tenza has joined Mamelodi Sundowns DDC. Ndalo Mbatha is at Durban City DDC, while Ntuthuko Mshengu has joined Orbit College.

Nkululeko Shezi is another academy product to have secured a place with a PSL club, joining Milford DDC. The growing list has increased interest in Langalibalele Sports Academy as clubs continue to monitor its emerging players.