‘He is one of the best in SA football’ – Abdeslam Ouaddou hails Pirates star

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Ouaddou praises Pirates star after thumping Lioli

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/ Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou reserved a special praise for midfielder Sipho Mbule after their dominant 4-0 win over Lioli of Lesotho.

The Soweto giants dispatched the Lesotho champions 7-0 on aggregate in a two-legged affair of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round.

In-form Tshepang Moremi scored a brace, while striker Yanela Mbuthuma also got a double at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

While the attackers took the spotlight, Ouaddou waxed lyrical about Mbule’s exploits in the heart of midfield, labelling him as one of the best players in South African football.

“I think Sipho had a good performance, it’s good for him to have time like that. And what I like is that I see a boy smiling, enjoying his game and that’s what we want,” said the Bucs mentor.

“It’s a fantastic player, let’s say he is one of the best players in South African football and when I see him happy, I am happy.

Ouaddou went on to pinpoint that ‘Master Chef’, as the player is fondly known, made an impact in an unusual no.6 role after tactical tweaks in the second stanza.

“I can say that it was a bit difficult for him in the first half because to play with a low block in a very small space was not easy,” he added.

“After we gave him the opportunity to play a little bit lower, when he had more space – we saw the real Mbule and what he is able to do. So, I am very happy about his performance and in general the performance of all the boys.