Orlando Pirates midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi was named Player of the Match after providing two assists in the Buccaneers' 2-1 Soweto Derby win over Kaizer Chiefs. | Backpagepix

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Orlando Pirates midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi has gone from being overlooked at Marumo Gallants to becoming one of the Buccaneers’ most influential performers, with Abdeslam Ouaddou predicting a great future for the 23-year-old.

Mokobodi delivered a standout performance in Saturday’s Soweto Derby, registering two assists as Pirates defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at FNB Stadium in a Betway Premiership encounter.

The midfielder was named Player of the Match after playing a decisive role in both goals, setting up Yanela Mbuthuma’s opener before providing the assist for Tshepang Moremi’s winning strike. However, his rise to prominence is particularly satisfying for Ouaddou, who first identified his potential during their time together at Marumo Gallants.

The Pirates coach revealed that when he arrived at Gallants, Mokobodi was among a group of players who had been separated from the main squad.

"I know him from Marumo Gallants," Ouaddou said.

"When I arrived that January, I think Marumo were bottom of the league and they had a squad of about 40 players. Some of them were working as one group and the others on the side, and he was a part of the players on the side."

Rather than dismissing the players who were training separately, Ouaddou organised a friendly match to assess their abilities. It was an opportunity Mokobodi seized, immediately catching the attention of the French-Moroccan coach alongside Khumbulani Ncube.

"I organised a friendly for the players on the side and straight away I saw the quality — him and (Khumbulani) Ncube — and these two guys helped secure our position in the top flight."

That early impression eventually led to a reunion at Pirates, with Ouaddou delighted when the club secured Mokobodi’s services.

The coach believes the midfielder possesses the qualities required to become one of the country’s leading players, highlighting his intelligence, work rate, and ability to influence matches in both directions.

"I was so happy when the club brought him here to Pirates and I knew what he could bring. If I have to speak about his qualities, he’s a box-to-box midfielder, he covers distances, he’s very clever, can see before he receives the ball, he can score and assist, and he can recover the ball."

Beyond his technical ability, Ouaddou also highlighted Mokobodi’s professionalism and character, qualities he believes will be important in determining how far the midfielder can go.

"What is most important is he is a professional; he has strong values as a human being, very respectful of his teammates and the club. I predict a great future for this boy, and he’s definitely one of the best midfielders in the country."

For Mokobodi, Saturday’s derby display was another significant step in his development at Pirates.

Having earned his coach’s trust through performances dating back to their time at Gallants, the midfielder is now beginning to make his own mark on one of South African football’s biggest stages.  |  IOL Sport