Coach Ouaddou prepares Sea Robbers for life after Mbokazi

ORLANDO Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has started to plan for life after Mbekezeli Mbokazi, which is why the Carling Cup exhibition match against the All Stars team was used to gauge the readiness of players who could potentially replace the defender.

- MIHLALI BALEKA.

Mbokazi is set to leave Pirates after his AFCON campaign with Bafana Bafana in January and join MLS side Chicago Fire, after putting pen to paper on a multimillion-rand deal in recent weeks.

His departure from the club will leave a huge void. Not only did he rise to prominence through his clean tackles, accurate passing and reading of the game, but he has also shown impeccable leadership qualities, having captained the side for much of the season at just 19-years old.

The Pirates technical team is not worried about finding a replacement for Mbokazi as they are confident that others can seamlessly fill his shoes.

On Saturday afternoon, at a wet Moses Mabhida Stadium, Ouaddou paired Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane at the heart of Pirates’ defence. The duo returned to competitive football for the first time since suffering injuries early last season under Ouaddou’s predecessor, Jose Riveiro.