Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his immense pride
in young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, following his nomination for the
prestigious CAF Young Player of the Year award. The recognition comes less
than a year after the 20-year-old made his senior debut for the Buccaneers.
Speaking after his team’s narrow 1-0 league victory over Polokwane City,
Ouaddou described the nomination as a “fantastic gift” for both the player
and the club.
“I think it’s a fantastic gift for him, first of all,” said the Moroccan
tactician, a former central defender himself. “It proves that when we are
working daily, when we are professional, when we are taking care of our
lifestyles… the rewards come. It’s a fantastic gift for the club as well –
he’s representing Orlando Pirates, and for me as a fellow central defender,
of course, I am proud of him.”
However, Ouaddou was quick to offer a word of caution, advising the rising
star to remain grounded. He emphasized that a career in football can be as
volatile as it is rewarding.
“The advice that I can give him is to keep being humble and professional and
to keep working,” Ouaddou stated. “Football moves quickly in both directions
– you can go very high, but you can go down quickly as well. So, respect
football and football will respect you.”
The nomination caps a remarkable breakthrough year for Mbokazi, who has not
only cemented his place at Pirates but has also become a full Bafana Bafana
international. He is joined on the CAF shortlist by another South African
talent, Tylon Smith, who recently secured a move to England’s Queens Park
Rangers.
