Benni McCarthy: Harambee Stars Coach Makes Big Claim About South African Youngster

South African football icon Benni McCarthy has voiced his support for rising star Mbekezeli Mbokazi, predicting that the midfielder's move to Major League Soccer (MLS) will be crucial for both his personal development and the national team's prospects ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mbokazi, affectionately known as ‘TLB,’ recently completed a transfer from Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire FC, a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

He is widely expected to be a key figure in Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming World Cup, where they are drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.

McCarthy, who remains Bafana Bafana's all-time leading goalscorer with 31 goals, believes the move is a pivotal opportunity for Mbokazi to elevate his game.

"TLB has been excelling since he rose at Pirates," McCarthy stated in the April edition of KICK OFF Magazine. "Now he has got to go to America and try to do the same as what he's done at Pirates, become established, a leader, a starting player, a cult figure for his team."

The former striker emphasised that the success of South African players in high-quality foreign leagues directly correlates with the strength of the national team.

He stressed that international experience is invaluable for raising the overall standard of Bafana Bafana.

"As a player, playing abroad only helps us here in South Africa," added McCarthy, who currently manages the Kenyan national team.

"The experience you gain from playing against the best players, in the best leagues, against the best teams and coaches, makes your knowledge powerful."

He concluded by highlighting the positive ripple effect such experience has on the national setup, noting, "And when you come back to the national team, you raise the standards."

With Mbokazi now set to test his skills in the MLS, there is growing optimism that his continued progress will be a significant asset to South Africa's World Cup campaign.