SA Wonderkid Lands Huge MLS Payday
South Africa’s rising stars are finally taking Benni McCarthy’s long‑standing advice to move abroad early — and it’s paying off.
In the past six months, Orlando Pirates talents Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi have both secured overseas moves, with Nkota joining Al Ettihad and Mbokazi signing for MLS side Chicago Fire.
Mbokazi’s switch sparked debate, but the 20‑year‑old is set for a life‑changing salary. Chicago Fire insider Alex Calabrese revealed that under the MLS U‑22 Initiative, his earnings are expected to fall between $600,000 and $1.2 million per year — roughly $80,000 to $90,000 monthly.
For a player who was in the Pirates’ second team just a year ago, it marks a remarkable rise. After impressing at AFCON 2025, many believe a move to Europe could follow soon.
Source: PulseSports
