Ouaddou Proud Of Mbokazi’s CAF Nomination
Orlando Pirates head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his delight at Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s nomination for the CAF Young Player of the Year award.
The 20-year-old Pirates vice-captain was nominated alongside nine other African and European-based players for the award, including Tylon Smith, which recognizes the best young players in the African region.
The KZN-born defender has played less than two season of men’s senior football but has made a lasting impression on fans and neutrals alike.
“It’s a fantastic gift for him. First of all, it proves that when we are working daily, we are professional, we are taking care about the lifestyle, the body, and we are working hard. I think it’s a fantastic gift for the club as well. We don’t have to forget that he’s representing Orlando Pirates, and for me as an ex central defender, of course I’m proud of him,” said Ouaddou.
It is important to note that young defender took the reigns as his club’s vice-captain ahead of the 2025/26 season, which proves just how much Ouaddou believes in Mbokazi’sabilities, both at an individual level and for the collective good of the team.
“The advice that I can give him, is to keep believing on his potential and to be very humble, and to keep working, to keep working, because you know football, football is going quick in the two sides. You can go very high but you can go down quickly as well. So respect football, and football will respect you, and it’s the advice that I give to my player,” added Ouaddou.
Mbokazi has not only made his mark at his club, but he’s also emerged as a mainstay in Hugo Broos’ plans for Bafana Bafana, as he has made the left centre back position his own heading into the AFCON in Morocco this December.
In the meantime, Mbokazi is expected to play a crucial role as Orlando Pirates look to overturn a 3-0 deficit against St Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Champions League second-leg match of the second preliminary round at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
