Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter has shared some encouraging news on Bafana Bafana star defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Mbokazi is currently injured, and Berhalter had previously suggested that the left-footer could be out for the rest of the season.
He had to fly to Finland for surgery, and he is currently doing rehabilitation, and according to Berhalter, Mbokazi is progressing well.
Berhalter admitted that his statement about Mbokazi being out for the entire 2026 may have been premature.
He was speaking to the media following Chicago Fire‘s 1-1 draw away to New York Red Bulls on this past weekend.
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MBOKAZI COULD RETURN BEFORE THE END OF 2026 SEASON
“I think the information I gave that he’s definitely out for the season was premature,” said Berhalter.
“He’s in a rehab program now and he’s progressing.
“There’s no exact timeframe for when he’s going to be back but there is a possibility [that] it is before the end of the season.”
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GOOD NEWS FOR BAFANA BAFANA
The latest developments are certainly good news for Bafana Bafana who will be involved in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana will get their campaign underway in September with clashes against Guinea and Eritrea.
Nonetheless, Mbokazi may return to bolster the team for the November matches and again in March which will be the final two games of the qualifiers
