Preparing for life without Mbokazi: Ouaddou stays tight-lipped as Pirates face key defender exit
Orlando Pirates are preparing for life without Mbekezeli Mbokazi after MLS side Chicago Fire submitted an offer for his services.
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Orlando Pirates and Abdeslam Ouaddou gave the biggest indication that Mbekezeli Mbokazi might be on his way out of the club when he was left out of their Betway Premiership game against Chippa United.
Without the 20-year-old defensive lynchpin, the Sea Robbers still managed to walk away with all three points thanks to a 2-0 win over Chippa. It was the second league game in a row that Mbokazi was not on the park from the start. Against Golden Arrows three weeks ago, the defender came on as a late substitute as Pirates secured a 3-1 win.
Since the weekend, Mbokazi has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, who have reportedly seen their R51 million bid accepted by Pirates.
On Tuesday night, Ouaddou surprised many when he omitted Mbokazi from the squad. That he didn’t feature on the bench suggests they are already preparing for life without him.
But, speaking after the game, Ouaddou didn’t give anything away as he remained coy about the player’s future.
“I’m not aware about this news,” the Moroccan said when speaking to journalists about Mbokazi after the game.
“For me, Mbokazi is still in my group. Today, like I just rotate the players. He’s one of the most important players in my group… For me, he’s still with me and that’s it. He’s still my player.”
Ouaddou’s post-match comments should come as no surprise as most coaches often avoid commenting publicly about transfers that have yet to be completed. But the coach will have been pleased with his team’s performance without their best defender, whose calm distribution and reading of danger have been central to their stability this season.
Yet beneath the polite denials and tactical rotation talk, there was an undeniable sense of finality in the air. Pirates may have coped well on the night, but replacing a defender as composed, mature and influential as Mbokazi is no simple task – and both coach and club know it.
If this is indeed the end of his Buccaneers chapter, his absence on Tuesday felt like the first real glimpse of what life without him will look like. Now all that remains is for the transfer to be confirmed – and for Pirates to figure out how to fill the void he will leave behind.
IOL Sport