Ouaddou hails rising duo at Pirates
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Thapelo Mokobodi. Photo: Gallo Images.
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Ouaddou hails rising duo at Pirates
Sep 22, 2026 – 03:01 pm
By Siya Ndlela
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has showered praise on his side’s new-look midfield pairing following a dominant display against Marumo Gallants on Sunday.
The duo pulled the strings as the Buccaneers cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership encounter at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng.
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Mokobodi, who arrived with high expectations, walked away with the Man of the Match accolade after orchestrating the tempo, notably setting up Kabelo Kgositsile’s opening goal.
“Even though I don’t like to speak about individuals because it’s a collective sport. But since he [Mokobodi] came, this boy has been just fantastic,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV.
“I know him from Marumo. He has a lot of activity in the middle; he’s very clever. He can give assists, he can score, and he can make play for his teammates.”
The Moroccan tactician was equally pleased with Selepe’s defensive discipline, adding, “He managed to keep us balanced and to be the link between the defence and the attack. He was really, really top in the middle.”
The blossoming partnership between the two prospects has been fast-tracked by a midfield crisis, with regular options Thalente Mbatha and Sihle Nduli currently sidelined due to their respective injuries.
Mokobodi has now featured in all three domestic fixtures this cycle, reinforcing the attack with his visionary passing and continuous high work rate in the centre of the park.
Selepe has stepped up similarly in his two appearances, providing the deep-lying security and spatial awareness required to control the tempo of matches against physical top-flight opposition.
The crucial three points collected away from home have significantly aided the Sea Robbers’ title ambitions, lifting them to second place on the log table with 19 points from 7 matches sitting just one point behind pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns with a game in hand.