Orlando Pirates boss Ouaddou backs Mokobodi to become key player

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes new signing Thapelo Mokobodi can develop into one of the central figures in his team after the midfielder made a strong start to his career with the Buccaneers.

Mokobodi made his fifth appearance for Pirates on Tuesday, helping them claim a 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

The 23-year-old has now started consecutive league matches, having also been selected from the outset in the previous game against Chippa United. He had earlier entered the action as a substitute against AmaZulu and has also featured during Pirates’ MTN8 campaign.

Mokobodi joined the Soweto club from Stellenbosch FC late in the transfer window. Because of the timing of the move, he was not involved in Ouaddou’s pre-season camp with Pirates in Spain.

That has not prevented him from making a swift impression. Ouaddou already knew the player from their time together at Marumo Gallants, where the coach worked with Mokobodi after arriving in South Africa during the second half of the 2024/25 season.

Speaking after the win against Sekhukhune, Ouaddou said his previous knowledge of the midfielder had helped him understand what Mokobodi could offer.

“First of all, he’s a boy that I know very well, you know, his quality from my previous club. I know what he can give us, what he’s able to do,” Ouaddou told journalists.

The French-Moroccan coach also believes Mokobodi gained valuable preparation at Stellenbosch FC, where he began pre-season under experienced manager Gavin Hunt before joining Pirates for the final stage of his training.

“He started the pre-season with Stellenbosch with Gavin Hunt. When you know Gavin Hunt, the way that he’s playing, the way that he wants his team to play, you can guess that he had the beginning of the preparation very good,” he said.

“He just came with us to finish the last phase of the preparation.”

Ouaddou feels the midfielder’s technical qualities and understanding of the game are particularly suited to Pirates’ approach.

“His style of play suits very well to the way that we want to play. He’s somebody that is clever. He’s somebody that integrates quickly,” the coach added.

The manager further praised Mokobodi for taking advantage of his opportunity when it came. He used the image of a train to explain why players must be ready to respond when their chance arrives.

“He’s a boy that took his chance. I always say that when the train stops at the station, you need to climb in that train, especially when it’s a high-speed train. You need to be inside because sometimes the train doesn’t stop every time at every station,” he said.

Mokobodi has now established himself in the starting line-up following his move from Stellenbosch FC, and Ouaddou hopes his progress will continue as the season develops.

“He’s in the train. I hope he will continue to grow, to improve and to be one of the key players in our system,” the coach said.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix