Ouaddou backs Mbokazi's MLS move

ABDESLAM OUADDOU, the coach of Orlando Pirates, was celebrating Mbekezeli Mbokazi's growth instead of lamenting the loss of an influential player in his squad.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

On the night when the young centre back played his final match for the Buccaneers by lifting the Carling Knockout trophy following a one-nil extra-time victory over Marumo Gallants, many were wondering just how Ouaddou was going to 'replace' the lad from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mbokazi has been snapped up by American Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire and will be making the move to the US, after the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals in late January. But, having played the game himself, the Moroccan coach is only too pleased to see one of his players making the step up.

"I cannot say he is a loss," Ouaddou said, deep in the bowels of the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

"We have to think of the evolution of players. Of course, Pirates is one of the big clubs in Africa and every coach wants to have their best player to compete. But it (player movement) is the ecosystem of football."

Ouaddou can personally relate to Mbokazi's situation.