Broos: Mbokazi pocketing Salah proves Bafana defender should be going to Europe

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has used Mbekelzeli Mbokazi’s performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to drive his point home that the defender should be playing in Europe.

Mbokazi has been one of the outstanding players at AFCON 2025 so far with his performances at the heart of the Bafana Bafana defence earning him praise.

The 20-year-old has shut the noise that accompanied him before the tournament, when Broos slammed him for coming to camp late while scolding his agent for rushing him into a deal in the MLS, when he would have been better off waiting for a European club after AFCON 2025 and the 2026 World Cup.

While Broos was slammed for the manner he handled the issue, he feels he has been vindicated by the player’s AFCON performances and hopes the defender maintains the same levels of performances and does not waste his immense talents.

What has Broos said about Mbokazi?

“There were some angry people when I said a few weeks ago that it was not the best choice for him, you saw why [against Egypt], he was my Man of the Match, the way that guy played,” Broos said as quoted by iDiski Times.

“One thing in my mind still from the second half there was a deep ball to Salah, and he went in for the duel, Salah had no chance, no chance and that shows the quality of Mbokazi.

“You now understand why I’d be very angry if he ruins his career. This is a guy who can have a very big career, a very big career.”

Bafana coach names where TLB can thrive

Young South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi delivered a commanding performance in Bafana Bafana's 1-0 loss to Egypt at the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 on Friday, effectively neutralizing Liverpool star Mohamed Salah until a controversial first-half penalty proved decisive. The… pic.twitter.com/LYiEwtMIuj

— newsnote (@newsnoteSA) December 28, 2025

“If Mboki can go to a bigger competition, that means a European competition. Let’s say France, Spain, not Real Madrid or Barcelona but a good Spanish team. He becomes better and better,” added Broos.

“Because he is already on a very good level and it will just increase his qualities when he plays against better players.”

Mbokazi, who is set to join MLS club Chicago Fire after sealing a $3 million (R51 million) transfer from Orlando Pirates, has hardly put a foot wrong in Morocco and the way he dealt with the Angolan dangermen as well as Egypt’s Mohamed Salah has been lauded.