Laced Up Reports

🚨🔵 𝐓𝐋𝐁 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐑 Napoli’s interest in Chicago Fire centre-back, and Bafana Bafana star, Mbekezeli Mbokazi is moving forward. Laced Up has been told an initial offer in the region of €7.5m plus add-ons has been submitted to the MLS club. The package includes performance-related clauses that could see the total fee rise towards €9-10m. Talks are ongoing and Chicago are considering their position. More to follow. #LUR

🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆!!! Napoli are understood to hold significant interest in South African centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi. The 20-year-old Chicago Fire defender has been highlighted by his agent in comments to Italian outlet StileTv: “There is great interest from Napoli for Mbokazi. For the moment I haven’t heard from Manna, but if an agreement is found between the two clubs he could play at Napoli.” No direct contact has yet been made with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna. However, should the clubs reach a deal, the highly-rated youngster — who impressed for Bafana Bafana during the 2026 World Cup — could make the move to Serie A. Mbokazi joined Chicago Fire from Orlando Pirates last December and the MLS side are open to offers, though they will demand appropriate value. Other European clubs are also monitoring the talented defender. More information to follow. 🇿🇦 #LUR

🚨☠️𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐔𝐋𝐀 Laced Up Reports understands that discussions are under way between Cassius Mailula and Orlando Pirates. Pirates are understood to be leading the interest in the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward, with other PSL sides interested.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ The 25-year-old has become a free agent after leaving Toronto FC on a mutual termination of his contract. #LUR

🚨 𝐌𝐎𝐅𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐆𝐈𝐔𝐌 Relebohile Mofokeng is closing in on a move to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from Orlando Pirates. The 21-year-old Bafana Bafana attacking midfielder/winger has agreed personal terms on a four-year contract, with a fee understood to be around €3m. Reports from Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad indicate the deal is in advanced stages, with Mofokeng set to fly straight from the US to Belgium to finalise everything after his impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup. He was a standout for Pirates in their title-winning 2025/26 campaign and has now earned his big European move. ⚽🇿🇦🇧🇪 Big step up for the highly-rated youngster. What do you think of this one? 👀 #LUR

Bafana Bafana’s 2026 World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start last night, falling 2-0 to hosts Mexico at the intimidating Estadio Azteca. From the moment the lineup dropped, the intent was clear: a cautious 3-5-2 (or five-at-the-back) setup with wing-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba, a solid central trio of Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Lyle Foster & Iqraam Rayners leading the line. Key creator Themba Zwane started on the bench, along side two notable stars, namely, Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng. Tactically it made sense — absorb pressure from a vocal home crowd and look to hit on the counter. But the plan unravelled almost immediately. Mexico took the lead in the 9th minute after capitalising on a turnover in midfield (Julián Quiñones finishing). Bafana struggled to play out from the back against El Tri’s aggressive press and never recovered their composure. The final numbers tell the story: 39% possession, just 3 shots all game, 0.08 xG, and only 2 touches in the opposition box. Mexico, by comparison, had 61% possession, 16 shots, 1.46 xG and 20 touches in the box. Even after going behind, there was little tactical adjustment. Foster and Rayners were left isolated with almost no service from midfield, and long balls too often found the touchline instead of creating anything meaningful. Going into the second half, many expected a change in shape or more attacking intent from the bench. Instead, Bafana largely stuck with the same structure. The task became even harder when Sphephelo Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute, followed by substitute Themba Zwane in the 84th minute — leaving Bafana with nine men for the closing stages. The substitutions that followed didn’t alter the shape or inject the urgency needed. This was a performance that felt a long way from the team that reached the AFCON semi-finals. At 60th in the FIFA rankings, the display against the 14th-ranked hosts exposed clear gaps in build-up play, midfield control and in-game adaptation. There’s still time to put this right in the next two group games, but tonight highlighted exactly where improvements are needed — starting with more belief when playing out and better support for the front line. What are your thoughts on the tactical approach and what changes would you like to see against the next opponents? Let’s discuss 👇 #BafanaBafana #WorldCup2026 #LUR

John Terry has singled out Bafana Bafana & Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi as one to watch at the 2026 World Cup 🔥 In his SuperSport TV interview today, JT said: “I think he is a top player. I think he’s actually got the potential to be one of the big stars among the defenders and young players coming through, and that can be really positive for the team. I really like him. I like his attitude and the mentality side of things that I see. So I’m excited to see him against some bigger and better opposition throughout this tournament.” Game recognises game 🇿🇦💙 #LUR

🚨 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 🚨 Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool Head Coach. The Spaniard has signed a three-year deal, with the club holding an option to extend his stay beyond that. Liverpool’s hierarchy see Iraola as one of the brightest tactical minds in European football, believing his high-intensity, attack-minded approach perfectly aligns with the club’s vision for the future. Anfield has its new leader. Official announcement imminent. 🔴 #LUR #LFC

KAI HAVERTZ BECOMES JUST THE NINTH PLAYER IN HISTORY TO SCORE IN MULTIPLE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALS. 🏆⭐ When the stakes are highest, he shows up. Absolutely clutch. 🔥👑 #LUR #UCLFinal

Biggest Snub? 🤔

🚨 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐒’ 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃? 👇 Hugo Broos just dropped the 23-man squad for the Panama friendlies… and left out THESE notable players: Players LEFT OUT: • Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates) • Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates) • Kamogelo Sebelele (Orlando Pirates) • Deano Van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates) • Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns) • Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) • Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq) • Darren Johnson (AmaZulu) • Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) • Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United) • Tylon Smith (QPR) • Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City) • Mthetheleli Mthiyane (Stellenbosch FC) • Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth) + ZERO Kaizer Chiefs players called up again 👀 Biggest snub here? Vote below 👇

𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 South Africa has many hidden gems scattered around the world’s best leagues. Hopefully we can recruit some of these talents to add to the competitiveness in the national pool. Which players do you think SAFA should move for?

𝐉𝐎𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐀 𝐕𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐑 19, Left-Back Club: Everton U21 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 2025/26: ~16 apps, 1 goal + assists in PL2. Emerging strongly. South African eligibility via heritage. Premier League academy gem and a consistent defender with high upside potential.

𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒? Players eligible for South Africa via birth, parents or ancestry but currently with other nations (youth-only or uncapped senior). They can STILL switch per FIFA rules. Who should SAFA target? 🧵🇿🇦

𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄 𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐀 26, Centre-Back/Left-Back Club: US Lecce (Serie A) 🇮🇹 2025/26: ~11 appearances (~400 mins) in top flight. Adapting well physically. Irish-born with South African father. Ireland U21 only — gaining senior European experience. Solid defender Bafana could use now.

𝐒𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐃 20, Right Winger/Forward Club: Arsenal U21 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 2025/26: ~13 apps in PL2, 3 goals, 1 assist. Dynamic and clinical. English-born with South African mother. Arsenal first-team training — exciting attacker with huge potential.