Mbekezeli Mbokazi played the full 90 minutes in Chicago Fire’s MLS clash against Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images via AFP
Young South African sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi missed a sitter in the dying minute of Chicago Fire’s MLS game against Columbus Crew on Saturday as the two sides played out a goalless draw.
With all of stoppage time played, Chicago Fire launched one final attack and Mbokazi, who had impressed at the heart of defence, suddenly found himself with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Not known for his finishing in front of goal, Mbokazi fired his shot straight at the keeper, who knocked it out of play, prompting the referee to blow the final whistle. Knowing what a huge opportunity it was to win the game, Chicago Fire players dropped to their knees, while Mbokazi held his head in disbelief after missing such a big chance.
The game was Mbokazi’s third official match since completing a move from Orlando Pirates, and saw him play on the left side of a back three in defence. Puso Dithejane, who joined the club from TS Galaxy in January, was an unused substitute.
The draw sees Chicago Fire in fifth place in the Eastern Conference of MLS on four points, two points behind Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in fourth.
At Geodis Park in Nashville, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Minnesota United were powerless to stop Nashville SC from walking away with all three points after a 3-1 win. The loss sees the Loons drop to 10th in the Western Conference.
At Subaru Park, Olwethu Makhanya was absent from the pitch as Philadelphia Union were beaten 1-0 by San Jose Earthquakes. The 21-year-old former Stellenbosch FC star was serving a one-match suspension after being sent off in their 1-0 loss to New York City a week ago.
Philadelphia, last year’s winners of the Supporters’ Shield and under the tutelage of former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Carnell, have endured a difficult start to the campaign and now sit 10th in the Eastern Conference after three defeats from their opening three matches.
IOL Sport