Abdeslam Ouaddou praises Relebohile Mofokeng amid transfer speculation after Orlando Pirates’ first league win

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has lifted the lid on what makes talisman Relebohile Mofokeng tick, and what his future at the club might look like.

Pirates beat Stellenbosch 1-0 at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night to secure their first Betway Premiership win after consecutive losses.

While Kamogelo Sebelebele scored the decisive goal and walked away with the Player of the Match award, Mofokeng made a lively start to the game.

The 20-year-old operated in the No. 10 role in the first half—following the demotion of Patrick Maswanganyi to the bench—instead of his usual wide position.

Mofokeng hardly looked out of place as a No. 10 behind Evidence Makgopa, linking up seamlessly with both Sebelebele and Oswin Appollis down the flanks.

“I cannot say that I see him in the future in that position,” explained Ouaddou after the game deep inside Orlando Stadium. “As a coach, you have to analyse the profile of the players you have, the connection between them, what can work and what cannot work.

“I thought he had a good connection with Appollis and Sebelebele. Maybe we’ll see him again in that role, but he can still play wide.

“Rele has the profile of a player you need to give freedom. He’s very technically intelligent and clever—you cannot limit him. You need to give him freedom, and I thought he had it today.”

Mofokeng’s future with Pirates has been the subject of speculation, with recent reports suggesting that MLS side Minnesota United tabled an offer of $2 million (±R35.4 million) for his services.

Ouaddou said he hadn’t heard those rumours before the Stellenbosch game, though he hopes to continue working with the Bafana Bafana international for longer.

“Today, I was only focused on the game against Stellenbosch; I didn’t have time to look or read in the media,” Ouaddou said. “What I know is that Rele is with us. He did well, which means he is with us, and I hope he remains with us.”