Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has seen his stock rise dramatically after the FIFA World Cup, with reports over the past weekend suggesting Premier League club Nottingham Forest are targeting the 20-year-old.
The 20-year-old left-centre-back from Hluhlulwe, KwaZulu Natal was left heartbroken after Stephen Eustáquio’s 92nd-minute winner sent South Africa crashing out of the tournament, but his performance against Canada announced him on the global stage.
Now the biggest question around Mbokazi is not whether he has the quality to play in Europe, but how much Forest would need to pay to convince Chicago Fire to sell one of their most valuable young assets.
WORLD CUP PERFORMANCE BOOSTS MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI PRICE TAG
Against Canada, Mbokazi once against produced the type of performance that catches the attention of top clubs.
Mbokazi finished the game with 103 touches, a 91% passing accuracy, five clearances. He also had three recoveries and a vital goal-line clearance that kept Bafana alive.
He also won six of his eight ground duels, showing why clubs are beginning to view him as a defender with the potential to play at the highest level.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST FACE MILLION-RAND TRANSFER DECISION
The challenge for Nottingham Forest is dealing with a club that has no reason to sell cheaply.
Chicago Fire only signed Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates six months ago in a transfer worth around $3 million (approximately R52 million).
The MLS club then secured the defender on a long-term contract until December 2029, with an option for another year, putting them in a strong negotiating position.
Any serious approach from Forest would likely need to be a major offer, with figures around $12 million to $15 million (approximately R220 million to R275 million) being suggested as the level required to start discussions.
FROM ORLANDO PIRATES TO PREMIER LEAGUE DREAM
Mbokazi’s journey has moved quickly. After making his professional debut at Orlando Pirates in March 2025, he earned a record move to MLS. It was then his remarkbale World Cup. The defender has become one of South Africa’s biggest football stories.
Hugo Broos has already backed Mbokazi’s ability to play in a stronger European league. And his World Cup display has only strengthened that belief.
For now, Chicago Fire hold the cards. But if Nottingham Forest want the Bafana star, they will have to pay a price that matches his rapidly growing reputation.