Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered a bold verdict and high praise on the quality of Sipho Mbule following the midfielder’s performance in the club’s commanding 4-0 victory over Lesotho’s Lioli FC.
Mbule put in a commanding, full 90-minute shift in the heart of the midfield, masterfully controlling the second leg of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Deployed in a deeper, number 6 role at the start of the second half—a tactical adjustment made when Masindi Nemtajela came on for Sihle Nduli—Mbule immediately became instrumental as the defensive shield, expertly linking the defence and attack.
His performance was defined by tactical intelligence: he broke up opposition play, provided a reliable passing outlet for the backline, and dictated the tempo of the game, consistently initiating attacks from a deep position.
The Soweto giants secured a dominant victory on the day, courtesy of a brace each from Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma. This result sealed an overwhelming 7-0 aggregate triumph and extended Bucs’ unbeaten streak to nine games across all competitions, a run featuring 18 goals scored and just two conceded.
OUADDOU LABELS SIPHO MBULE ‘ONE OF THE BEST’ IN SOUTH AFRICA
Ouaddou has unequivocally labelled the midfielder known as the ‘Master Chef’ as “one of the best players in South African football.”
Speaking after Mbule’s performance against Lioli, Ouaddou highlighted that a tactical shift allowed the Bafana Bafana international to play with a smile and showcase his “fantastic” quality. The coach expressed his satisfaction, stating that, “I saw the real Mbule, what he is able to do,” solidifying his conviction in the player’s elite status.
“Sipho had a good performance. It is good for him to have time like that, and what I like is that I see a boy who is smiling, enjoying his game, and it is what we want,” said Ouaddou. “He is a fantastic player, let’s say that he is one of the best players in South African football, and when I see him happy, I am happy.”
Ouaddou added: “So I can say that it was a bit difficult for him in the first half because to play with a low block in very small spaces was not easy, and after we gave him the opportunity to play a little bit lower when he had more space, we saw the real Mbule, what he is able to do. I’m very happy about his performance and in general the performance of the boys.”
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