The Chicago Fire have made international headlines this offseason with the signings of two South African stars, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Puso Dithejane. The two young talents were unveiled to the media on Thursday for the first time as the MLS season rapidly approaches.
Dithejane: “I saw them on Instagram!”
The duo’s arrival in MLS came essentially out of nowhere, and both Mbokazi and Dithejane declined European options to sign with the Fire. Dithejane today revealed that he had already gained some familiarity with the Men in Red a few months before his arrival, when Gregg Berhalter’s team stunned Inter Miami 5-3 in late 2025.
“I know Chicago Fire,” Dithejane said. “I've been following them, especially on Instagram. I've been checking their score updates. I've been following their games in MLS and I know them specifically, for beating the team that Lionel Messi plays on”.
The famous win last September – which clinched the Fire’s first playoff qualification in nearly a decade – made global headlines, Justin Reynolds and Brian Gutiérrez’s late goals making the difference. Evidently, they also made their way to South Africa, proving a great first impression for the young winger who would join the club a few months later.
Dithejane made his unofficial Fire debut on Wednesday in a 2-2 draw with Austin FC, featuring for 25 minutes during the second half. The 21-year-old hopes it will be the start of something great as he begins his new life in America, halfway around the world from where he’s spent his whole journey so far.
“I’m not here to be mesmerized or to be shocked by new things,” Dithejane said when asked about his first impressions of America and the winter weather. “I'm here to work and to prove myself that I am the player that Chicago Fire needed. I'm here to take the team to another level. I'm not here to be mesmerized by the new things that I see here.”
Mbokazi: “It was difficult…”
Mbokazi’s arrival was admittedly by far the more high-profile of the two signings. His decision to come to Chicago sent shockwaves throughout South Africa, where the 20-year-old center back is considered the most exciting prospect, and one of the most talented on the whole continent. There was even some criticism, as many, including Bafana Bafana manager Hugo Broos, suggested Mbokazi should test himself in Europe rather than move to MLS.
“It was very difficult when people were talking back home saying different things,” Mbokazi said this week. “But I persevered because I'm a young player, I'm still very young. So age allows me to explore different things and to explore my talent at a higher level.”
“I enjoy being here. I deserve to be here and I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to be here. Everything has its own time. I'm still enjoying my time here as a young player, and if I need to go to a higher league or if I need to go somewhere else, that will happen on its own time. But for now, I enjoy being here and I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to be here.”
Mbokazi is coming off the back of an excellent African Cup of Nations, where he was one of South Africa’s top players. The side were knocked out in the Round of 16, but the defender left one of the top impressions of the tournament, turning heads across Africa and Europe. If he performs simlarly at this summer’s upcoming World Cup in the United States, it’s entirely possible a big-money move across the pond could follow.
“I think the league, for them to move from the South African league to Major League Soccer is a step up in quality and it's going to help them develop,” Berhalter said. “Our goal is to help both of these players adapt, to get used to a higher level, to add to their skillset, and then eventually move them on.”
