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Orlando Pirates star for big clubs in Europe

Orlando Pirates star for big clubs in Europe

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has tipped Mbekezeli Mbokazi for a bright future after his commanding display in the 1-1 MTN8 semi-final first-leg draw with Mamelodi Sundowns at a packed Orlando Stadium.
The 19-year-old Bafana Bafana defender stood tall at centre-back against the league's most dangerous attack, even providing the fabulous diagonal pass that set up Kamogelo Sebelebele's equaliser.
With Nkosinathi Sibisi injured and Tapelo Xoki on the bench, Mbokazi wore the armband with pride – and didn't look out of place leading the Soweto giants on such a big stage. Orlando Pirates players Evidence Makgopa and Kamogelo Sebelebele celebrate a goal against Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8. Image: IOL
Analyst sends a warning to Kaizer Chiefs
While lauding the Hluhluwe-born left-footed star, Ouaddou, was quick to strike a balance between praise and caution.
'Let me be very honest, and you have to be careful when you compliment someone, they stop working,' Ouaddou told the media. 'But I have to say it, as a coach, when I compliment a player that is doing well, it's good for their mentality, confidence, and self-esteem.
Kaizer Chiefs transfer news: Second striker and new winger
'This guy [Mbokazi], if he continues to work, continue to be professional and take care of his lifestyle, I think he he as a great future.
'I have seen him again today [Saturday], he is just unbelievable, it's a performance for big clubs in Europe, and we are happy to have him at Orlando Pirates, a big club in Africa, but he has to keep working,' the Orlando Pirates mentor concluded.
Coming up next for the Buccaneers is the visit of Stellenbosch FC at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday at 19:30.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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