CHICAGO (March 19, 2026) – Chicago Fire FC defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was named to the South Africa National Team roster for the upcoming FIFA international window.

The Bafana Bafana, led by head coach Hugo Broos, will play two friendly matches during the March window, hosting Panama twice in South Africa. The two teams will face off at 12:00 p.m. CT on Friday, March 27, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, before meeting again at 1:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 31, at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Mbokazi most recently was part of Broos’ squad that advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The young defender played the full 90 in all four of South Africa’s matches, taking the field against Angola, Egypt, Zimbabwe and Cameroon.

Mbokazi made his senior national team debut in May 2025 in a 2-0 win against Mozambique and was also called up for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria during the September 2025 FIFA International window. The defender joined the Chicago Fire in December 2025 and has started all four of the Club’s matches so far in 2026.