Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Mofokeng can steer Pirates to league glory | OneFootball

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Ouaddou tips Mofokeng for starring role in Pirates' league title chase

Photo: Relebohile Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the sensational Relebohile Mofokeng can guide the Buccaneers to the elusive Betway Premiership title.

The Bucs starlet came up clutch in the Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants over the weekend, scoring yet another decisive goal in a cup final - a trend that's quickly becoming a norm.

Ouaddou reserved special praise for the Bafana international after the match, stressing the important role the youngster assumes in his project at Pirates.

“You know the president is very important for us in our team, so I love him, I love his style of play, he's a very good guy, top human being, he's somebody who loves football, he dreams about football, I think he thinks about football 24 hours,” he said.

However, Mofokeng had a sluggish start to the season as he couldn't register a goal contribution in over 10 games and the former Morocco international attributes that to fatigue as he insists the 21-year-old is capable of carrying Pirates to a league title.

‘I cannot say too much about the beginning of this season, for me when you play so many games - qualification for the competition in the national team - I think he didn’t have a lot of time to rest, he had only 10 days, two weeks and the season before he played maybe 40, 45 games," Ouaddou added.

"So, he is not a robot, I can understand that he was a bit tired. We gave him some rest and he came back with a very good fitness and you can see that last three, four games that we played - he was part of the success of the team.

"He did some fantastic assists and you can see the difference between Rele Mofokeng fit and Rele Mofokeng tired. Rele Mofokeng even [at] 70% of his possibilities, he can help the team. I cannot imagine when he's 100%. If he is 100%, I think the president is somebody who can make us win the [league] title.

Pirates sit at the summit of the table, with 28 points from 12 games and are two points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns as they seek a first championship since the 2011/12 campaign.