Pirates coach Ouaddou responds to Rele Mofokeng exit rumours

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he is hopeful that star player Relebohile Mofokeng will remain at the club this season, despite ongoing speculation about a potential transfer.

Mofokeng, 20, has become a key figure for the Buccaneers since joining from the School of Excellence in 2022.

He has been heavily linked with a move to clubs in Israel and Saudi Arabia, including Al-Ettifaq, which recently signed his former  Bucs teammate Mohau Nkota.

When asked about the rumours at the Betway Premiership launch in Sandton on Tuesday, Ouaddou acknowledged that Mofokeng’s talent naturally attracts interest from other clubs. “With such a talented player, of course, it attracts a lot of clubs, but I trust my board, I trust the club, because he’s definitely one of our major players this season,” Ouaddou said.

“We need him to compete at the highest level.”

The coach expressed confidence in Mofokeng staying but admitted that in football, anything can happen. “As a coach, I’m still confident, but you never know in football what can happen,” he stated. “I hope he will stay with us.”

Mofokeng has been a consistent performer for Pirates, winning back-to-back Young Player of the Year awards. Since being promoted from the DStv Diski Challenge squad in 2023, he has made 90 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals and providing 22 assists. He recently played the full match in the MTN8 quarter-final win over Polokwane City, showing he is still a central part of the team’s plans.