Ouaddou says Mokobodi is among South Africa’s finest midfielders

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Thapelo Mokobodi has the qualities to become one of the best midfielders in South Africa after revealing how he first recognised the player’s potential.

Mokobodi, 23, joined Pirates in the off-season from Stellenbosch, having spent only one season with the club after moving there from Marumo Gallants.

The midfielder has made an immediate impact during Pirates’ title defence, contributing two goals and four assists in 14 matches. The club are second in the table, while Mokobodi’s latest appearance brought two assists and a Man of the Match award in his first Soweto Derby.

Ouaddou first encountered the player at Marumo Gallants after taking charge in January or February. At the time, the club were struggling at the bottom of the league and had a large squad, with some players training separately from the main group.

“Look Mokobodi, I know him from Marumo Gallants, when I arrived in January, February, Marumo was I think at the bottom of the league, I came there, they had like 40 players, some of them were working on the side, normal training and he was on the other side with another team,” he said.

The coach arranged a friendly match for players who were not involved with the main group, where Mokobodi and Ncube caught his attention.

“I organised a friendly game for this people who were sitting on the side, and I saw quality, I was so surprised why this boy was on that side, him and Ncube – these two guys helped me to secure our position in the PSL.”

Ouaddou said he was pleased when Mokobodi was later brought to Pirates, because he already understood what the midfielder could offer his team.

“I was just so happy that the club brought him here to Pirates, and I knew what he could bring – so when I talk about his quality, he is box-to-box, he’s somebody able to run distances, he is clever, he can see before receiving the ball.”

Mokobodi’s ability to contribute in several areas has made him increasingly important to Ouaddou’s system. The coach highlighted his passing in the final third, his work in winning possession and his reading of the game.

“He can assist, he can recover the ball and what is important, he is professional, he has a strong value system as a human being, he’s very respectful of his teammates, of the club, this boy – I predict a great future for this boy. And he’s definitely one of the best midfielders in the country.”

Pirates strengthened their position with a 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in the Soweto Derby, a match in which Mokobodi’s two assists and Man of the Match performance underlined his growing influence.