'Stay humble': Bradley Carnell's advice to Mbekezeli Mbokazi ahead of MLS switch
Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana starlet Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been linked with a move to the MLS.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell has had some words of advice for Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who will leave Orlando Pirates and join Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Carnell, who spent a season with Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs in the late 90s and won 42 caps for Bafana Bafana, led Philadelphia to the Conference semi-finals of this year’s MLS season after guiding the team to the Supporters’ Shield.
One of the players who stood out for Carnell’s team was former Stellenbosch FC defender Olwethu Makhanya. According to Carnell, Mbokazi will do well if he follows Makhanya’s example and continues to work hard.
“I think Mbokazi has the quality. Now he just needs to show the work ethic, the work rate, and the quality he’s already been displaying,” Carnell said, according to FARPost. “He shouldn’t think he’s already made it because of a big transfer. He has to stay humble and win the confidence of his teammates.
“I’m sure that’s what the coach [Gregg Berhalter] is telling him; I know the coach very well. We played Chicago in the playoffs, and they’re a good team with some talented individuals and a very attacking style that should suit Mbokazi’s qualities.”
On how Mbokazi can impress and make a big impact, Carnell said: “He’ll have to show the character to keep working away from home, away from South Africa – that’s always the big challenge.
“It’s something Olwethu Makhanya did very well, to accept that challenge and stay humble, and I’d say Mbokazi should do exactly the same. He has to follow in Makhanya’s footsteps.”
With the move now confirmed, the onus shifts to Mbokazi to embrace the demands of elite football abroad and prove that his talent can translate on a bigger stage. If he can mirror Makhanya’s resilience and apply Carnell’s advice, Chicago Fire may well have secured one of South Africa’s next great exports – and Mbokazi could take a defining step toward fulfilling the potential many have long seen in him.
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