Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has detailed what winger Relebohile Mofokeng brings in his new role as a number 10 at the club.
The 21-year-old was named Man of the Match after Saturday’s 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Magesi FC at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto. It was a match from which he emerged with a goal and an assist, heavily influencing the result.
With Pirates currently having three left wingers in Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi and Mofokeng, Ouaddou has been forced to make some crucial adjustments. Against Magesi, Appollis, and Moremi were interchanging on either wing while Mofokeng operated from the middle.
During the early stages of the season, the former Fulham defender struggled to get the trio on the pitch together. This is also something Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has battled to do with the trio.
But Mofokeng now seems at home in his new role as a playmaker, with a big hint that this could become his permanent position. To make it interesting for Ouaddou, this is a natural position for Sipho Mbule, Patrick Maswangwnayi and new signing Andre de Jong. The latter can also play as a forward.
WATCH: WHAT ARE MOFOKENG’S QUALITIES AS A PIRATES NUMBER 10?
“When you are training players like that, with such talent, you have to identify their qualities and the position where they can play. We know that he is able to play on the side. With the qualities that he has, he can help us in the middle,” said Ouaddou.
“I told you that he is somebody who is able to see before receiving the ball in terms of decision-making. He is able to make a decision before receiving the ball.
“It’s more than football. When you have this kind of player in your team, you have to use him well. He has the capacity to scan and to be aware of how many teammates he has around him, how many opponents around him.
“It’s helping him to make the right decisions. If you have seen every time we play him in that position, especially just before the break. I think we played him three or four games; he gave us three or four assists in that position.
“So, it’s good to have players who are able to play many positions, it’s good for the coach.”
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