Chicago Fire's Mbekezeli Mbokazi, left, came out on top in his first encounter against Philadelphia Union's Olwethu Makhanya on Saturday.
Image: AFP
Chicago Fire’s Mbekezeli Mbokazi faced fellow South African Olwethu Makhanya of Philadelphia Union for the very first time this weekend and came out on top.
Mbokazi continued to make a name for himself in Major League Soccer with an assured performance at the back. He was strong in the air, good on the ground, and his passing was once again on point as Chicago earned their second win of the season.
That performance carried added weight given the opponent. According to Chicago Fire head coach Greg Berhalter, they were so impressed with Makhanya’s display when they faced Philadelphia last season that they decided to bring in a South African of their own.
Berhalter immediately got on the phone with Mamelodi Sundowns’ Sporting Director Flemming Berg to ask if there were any players as good as Makhanya in the Betway Premiership, and the Dane famously answered, “there’s one better.”
Over the last year, Makhanya has been praised for many of the same qualities now associated with Mbokazi. He possesses good pace and athleticism, allowing him to recover quickly and operate in a high defensive line, while his composure in possession and ability to carry the ball forward underline his profile as a modern, proactive centre-back.
On Saturday, all eyes were on the duo, and it was the 20-year-old from Hluhluwe who had the upper hand against the 21-year-old from KwaMakhutha. Chicago Fire won 2–1, earning bragging rights until their next meeting this season.
While Mbokazi’s move to the US was partly influenced by Makhanya, the former Orlando Pirates defender has also drawn increased South African attention to MLS. That growing visibility may also have contributed to Makhanya’s inclusion in the preliminary Bafana Bafana squad announced by Hugo Broos. If he continues on his current trajectory, a place in the final squad looks well within reach.
With both defenders still early in their careers, this first meeting is unlikely to be the last. As they continue to develop on opposite sides of the United States, their parallel rise could yet become one of South African football’s most compelling modern storylines.
IOL Sport