Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has compared Sipho Mbule to Real Madrid and France icon Zinedine Zidane.
Ouaddou previously expressed the wish to work with Mbule before they both joined the Buccaneers. Back then, the French-Moroccan mentor was at Marumo Gallants while Mbule was on loan at Sekhukhune United from Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Sea Robbers gaffer has commended Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza for granting Mbule what he described a second chance to get his career back on track.
According to Ouaddou, Mbule possesses exceptional talent, with certain qualities that remind him of Zidane.
“I said it before I signed with Pirates that one of the players I’d like to work with is Sipho Mbule,” said Ouaddou in the interview with Robert Marawa on MSW.
“I was very happy to find him at Orlando Pirates and we have to give credit to the club and the chairman who gave a second chance to a talent like that.
“And Sipho Mbule, if I have to compare him, I compare him with Zinedine Zidane. He has the talent, he has eyes at the back of his head, he can see before receiving the ball.
“He can make some fantastic drills that nobody can do. Sipho, I started working with him in the pre-season and we have seen the results. He went back to the national team.”
Ouaddou also encouraged Mbule to keep working hard and to respect the game if he wants to achieve even more in the future.
“My my advice is keep working Sipho, I’m your big brother, your coach, your friend, I’ll support you but I’ll be honest, if you don’t respect football, it will not respect you,” he added.
“I’ll support him 100% as long as he’s working, never stop working. You know where you come from, keep the level high. You’re one of the fantastic players in the continent.”
