Orlando Pirates midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi earns Abdeslam Ouaddou’s backing after Soweto derby display

Thapelo Mokobodi’s rapid rise at Orlando Pirates reached a new high on Saturday when the midfielder was named man of the match in their 2-1 Betway Premiership victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.

Mokobodi provided both assists in the Soweto derby, setting up Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi as Pirates secured an exciting win.

The 23-year-old joined Pirates from Stellenbosch FC before the start of the season, having made little impact at his previous club. However, he has established himself as an important player under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, helped by Sihle Nduli’s extended absence through injury and Makhehlene Makhaula’s limited involvement in midfield.

Mokobodi has now appeared in 14 matches in all competitions this season and has contributed two assists, both coming against Chiefs.

His form has strengthened his position in a Pirates side seeking to reproduce the remarkable treble achieved during Ouaddou’s first season in 2025-26. The club are also adapting to the departures of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who moved to the United States in January, and Relebohile Mofokeng, who joined Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise after impressing for Bafana Bafana at the World Cup.

Mokobodi generally played as a right-back for Marumo Gallants and Stellenbosch FC, but has formed an effective central-midfield partnership with Thalente Mbatha and Simphiwe Masilela at Pirates.

Ouaddou saw Mokobodi’s potential at Gallants

Ouaddou first encountered Mokobodi while managing Marumo Gallants. He said the midfielder had been training away from the club’s main team when he arrived during the second half of the 2023-24 season.

“When I arrived at the club [in the second half of the 2023-24 season, as Ouaddou was introduced to the Premier Soccer League in Bloemfontein], Gallants were sitting at the bottom of the log. They had about 40 players and some of them were training with the team that’s playing in the PSL while others were working on the side [of the squad], and he was with those on the side,” said Ouaddou.

“I arranged a friendly game for the players who were sitting on the side and I saw quality in him. I was surprised as to why this quality boy, and another one who is a right-back, were training on the side and not with the team that was playing.”

Ouaddou brought Mokobodi and right-back Khumbulani Ncube into the first team, saying the pair helped Gallants avoid relegation and retain their position in the PSL.

“These two guys helped me secure a position in the PSL with the club. I was happy the club brought him here to Pirates because I knew what he could bring to us.”

The Pirates manager believes Mokobodi possesses the qualities required to reach the top.

“If you want to talk about his quality, he is a box-to-box player, he is somebody who can run distances and he is clever. He scans before receiving the ball, he can score and assist and he can recover the ball.

“What is even more important is he is a professional, he has strong values as a human being and he is respectful to his teammates and the club.

“I predict a great future for this boy and he is definitely one of the best midfielders in the country.”

Mokobodi was not included in Bafana’s preliminary squad for this month’s home and away Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya.

Competition for places in central midfield includes Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Mbatha, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Lebohang Maboe and Luke le Roux. But continued performances of this quality could make Mokobodi increasingly difficult for national coach Pitso Mosimane to overlook.

He will also experience the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time this season, as Pirates defend the Betway Premiership title they took from eight-in-succession champions Mamelodi Sundowns last campaign while pursuing domestic cup and continental honours.