Fit Mofokeng can win Pirates the title, says Ouaddou

Fresh from winning their second trophy this season, clinching the Carling Knockout on Saturday, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Relebohile Mofokeng will be an important figure in their chase for the Betway Premiership title once he is 100% fit.

Mofokeng scored the winning goal to break the deadlock in extra time in Bucs’ 1-0 win against Marumo Gallants in the Carling final at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Earlier this season, the 21-year-old had a dip in form and some injuries and was out of the Pirates’ match-day squad in October.

Ouaddou said the midfielder had been fatigued and was given a rest. The coach is pleased Mofokeng is finding his form again, after two assists and a goal in the past five matches.

“What can I say? ‘The President’ [Mofokeng] is important for us in our team. I love him. I love his style of play. He is a good, top human being.

“He is somebody who loves football. He dreams about football, I think — for 24 hours he thinks about football.

“I cannot say too much about the beginning of the season. I think that for me, when you play many games to qualify for the competitions, [you are] with the national team. I think he didn’t have enough time to rest.

“He only had 10 days’ rest, and the season before he played between 40 and 45 matches. He is not a robot. I can understand that he was a bit tired.

“We gave him some rest and he came back with good fitness — and you can see that in the past three or four games we played, he was part of the success of the team.

“You can see a fit Rele Mofokeng and a Rele who is tired. If he’s 70% fit, he can help the team. I cannot imagine if he’s 100%. If he’s 100%, ‘The President’ is someone who can make us win the title.”

Ouaddou is now looking forward to playing against the Carling All Stars team at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, where he will give fringe players a chance to play.

With most of his frontline performers joining the Bafana Bafana squad to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on December 21, Ouaddou will put in players such as Olisa Ndah, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Melusi Buthelezi and Kabelo Dlamini, among others.

Sowetan