Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Praises Thapelo Mokobodi for His Quality, Professionalism and Strong Values
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has praised midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi for his outstanding performances, professional attitude and strong personal values, describing him as one of the best midfielders in South African football. The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive rise since joining the Buccaneers from Marumo Gallants, quickly establishing himself as an important member of the squad. His performances have attracted attention, particularly after his influential display in the 2-1 Soweto Derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs. Mokobodi provided two assists in that match and earned the Man of the Match award, underlining his growing importance to the team. While his technical ability and physical qualities have contributed to his success, Ouaddou believes his character and respect for others make him an especially valuable player.
Mokobodi’s journey to Orlando Pirates is an example of how recognising overlooked talent can produce significant rewards. Ouaddou first became familiar with the midfielder during his time at Marumo Gallants, where he arrived in January or February when the club was struggling near the bottom of the league standings. According to the Pirates coach, the squad had approximately 40 players, with some individuals training separately from the main group. Mokobodi was among those players who were not receiving the same opportunities as the established members of the squad. Ouaddou decided to organise a friendly match involving the players who had been training away from the main group, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. That decision allowed him to identify qualities in Mokobodi that had previously gone unnoticed.
Ouaddou recalled being surprised by the midfielder’s ability and questioned why a player with such potential had been overlooked. He also identified Ncube as another talented individual who deserved an opportunity to contribute to the team. The coach explained that both players eventually helped Marumo Gallants secure their position in the Premier Soccer League. Their performances demonstrated the importance of giving talented footballers opportunities to prove themselves rather than judging them solely on their previous circumstances. Mokobodi’s development under Ouaddou eventually created an opportunity for the midfielder to continue his career at one of South Africa’s biggest football clubs. The coach was therefore delighted when Orlando Pirates brought him to Mayfair because he already understood what the player could offer.
Since arriving at Orlando Pirates, Mokobodi has demonstrated why Ouaddou had so much confidence in his abilities. His contribution of two goals and four assists across 14 appearances highlights his effectiveness in the attacking areas of midfield. However, his influence extends beyond goals and assists because he also contributes significantly to the team’s defensive responsibilities. His ability to move between defensive and attacking positions makes him an effective box-to-box midfielder. This versatility gives Orlando Pirates greater balance and allows the team to maintain pressure on opponents while remaining competitive in midfield battles.
Ouaddou has particularly praised Mokobodi’s intelligence, stamina and understanding of the game. The coach described him as a midfielder capable of covering significant distances while making intelligent decisions in possession. One quality that stands out is his ability to anticipate situations before receiving the ball. This awareness allows him to identify available passing options, recognise pressure from opponents and make decisions quickly. Such qualities are important in modern football, where midfielders must combine technical ability with physical strength and tactical understanding. Mokobodi’s ability to perform these different responsibilities has made him an important part of the Orlando Pirates midfield.
His performance in the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs provided further evidence of his growing influence. The match carried enormous expectations because of the historic rivalry between the two Soweto giants. Mokobodi responded positively to the occasion, producing an impressive display that included two assists in Pirates’ 2-1 victory. His contribution helped the Buccaneers secure an important result while strengthening his reputation among supporters. Winning the Man of the Match award in such a high-profile fixture was another significant achievement for the young midfielder. It also demonstrated that he could handle the pressure associated with playing in one of South African football’s biggest matches.
The Soweto Derby is a demanding fixture for any player, particularly those still establishing themselves at a major club. The atmosphere, expectations and intensity of the rivalry often create additional pressure throughout the match. Mokobodi’s ability to influence the result demonstrated his confidence and readiness to contribute in important situations. His two assists highlighted his attacking awareness and ability to create opportunities for teammates. More importantly, his overall performance reflected the qualities that Ouaddou had recognised during their time together at Marumo Gallants. The midfielder’s rapid progress suggests that he is becoming increasingly comfortable with the demands of playing for Orlando Pirates.
Despite his impressive statistics and performances, Ouaddou believes Mokobodi’s personality is one of his greatest strengths. The coach explained that the midfielder is professional, respectful and guided by a strong value system. He particularly appreciates the player’s attitude towards his teammates and the club. These qualities are important in a competitive football environment where discipline, teamwork and commitment can influence the success of an entire squad. According to Ouaddou, Mokobodi understands the importance of respecting the people around him and maintaining professional standards. The coach believes these personal qualities will play an important role in determining how far the young midfielder progresses in his career.
Ouaddou’s comments suggest that he values more than individual performances when assessing a player’s contribution. While goals, assists and match statistics provide useful information, a footballer’s attitude during training and interactions with teammates can also have a significant impact. A player who respects the club, listens to instructions and maintains a professional approach can help create a positive environment within the dressing room. Mokobodi appears to have earned the trust of his coach through both his performances and his conduct. This combination has strengthened his position within the Orlando Pirates squad and increased expectations surrounding his future.
The Pirates coach was particularly confident when discussing the midfielder’s potential. He predicted a great future for Mokobodi and described him as one of the best midfielders currently operating in the country. Such praise reflects the impression the 23-year-old has made since working under Ouaddou. It also highlights the club’s confidence in the decision to bring him to Mayfair. For a young player still developing his career, receiving such recognition from a head coach can provide additional motivation to maintain high standards. However, the challenge will be to continue producing consistent performances as opponents become increasingly familiar with his strengths.
Mokobodi’s development is also important for Orlando Pirates as they pursue their ambitions in the Betway Premiership. The Buccaneers are currently second in the league standings and will need consistent contributions from their midfield players to remain competitive. Their ability to control possession, recover the ball and create attacking opportunities will be crucial throughout the campaign. Mokobodi offers a combination of energy, tactical awareness and creativity that can help the team in different match situations. His box-to-box qualities also give the coaching staff flexibility when selecting the midfield combination for challenging fixtures.
The midfielder’s partnership with the rest of the Orlando Pirates midfield unit will remain an important factor as the season progresses. Strong midfield performances can determine the outcome of closely contested matches by helping teams control the tempo and limit opposition opportunities. Mokobodi’s ability to recover possession and quickly transition into attack makes him particularly useful in this area. His passing vision also allows him to support forwards and create opportunities from different positions. If he maintains his current level of performance, he could become an increasingly influential figure in the Buccaneers’ pursuit of domestic honours.
His journey from being overlooked at Marumo Gallants to becoming an important player at Orlando Pirates also offers an encouraging example for other young footballers. It demonstrates how opportunities, hard work and the right guidance can change a player’s career. Ouaddou’s decision to arrange a friendly match for players outside the main group helped reveal Mokobodi’s potential. The midfielder then took advantage of the opportunity and continued developing his abilities. His progress shows that talent can sometimes remain hidden until the right person recognises it and provides the platform needed for growth.
Orlando Pirates supporters will now be hoping that Mokobodi can maintain his impressive form and continue delivering important performances. His contribution in the Soweto Derby has already given fans a reason to be excited about what he can achieve in the coming months. However, consistency will be essential if he wants to establish himself among the country’s leading midfielders. He will also need to continue developing his decision-making, technical skills and understanding of different tactical situations. At just 23 years old, he has time to improve further and build a successful career at the highest level of South African football.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s praise of Thapelo Mokobodi highlights the qualities that have made the midfielder an important addition to Orlando Pirates. His two goals and four assists in 14 appearances reflect his attacking contribution, while his work rate and defensive awareness demonstrate his value across the pitch. His match-winning influence in the 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs provided another indication of his growing confidence and ability to perform under pressure. However, it is his professionalism, respect for teammates and strong value system that appear to have impressed his coach most. As Orlando Pirates continue their Betway Premiership campaign, Mokobodi has an opportunity to establish himself as one of the leading midfield talents in South African football.
