Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed how he first discovered Thapelo Mokobodi and explains why he’s one of the best players in the country.
Mokobodi, 23, has been in sublime form since joining the club in the off-season from Stellenbosch, where he spent only one season after being lured from Marumo Gallants.
With two goals and four assists in 14 games, he’s been integral to their title defence as they sit second on the table, with his latest game, producing two assists and a Man of the Match display in his debut Soweto Derby.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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 ran out 2-1 winners of Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in the game and Ouaddou has shed insight how the diminutive midfielder has become so important to his set-up this season.