Pirates coach earmarks teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi as 'one of the main men' for 2025/26 season

In an audacious move, Orlando Pirates’ head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou handed young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi the captain's armband in the second half of the team's second pre-season friendly against Cypriot champions Pafos FC on Sunday.

Nkosinathi Sibisi started the match as Pirates' captain. However, after he was substituted in the second half, the 19-year-old Mbokazi captained the team despite only making his debut in the senior team a few months ago.

With the surprising decision, it became clear that the Moroccan Ouaddou aims to mould Mbokazi into a future leader.

Mbokazi's extraordinary performances in training and previous matches, signal a shift towards nurturing young talent within the squad.

Mbokazi has shown remarkable skill and maturity on the pitch. They were the key factors in Ouaddou’s decision to elevate him to this critical role.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw against Pafos FC, Ouaddou lauded Mbokazi as one of the "big men" of the team.

"He’s South African; he’s proud of what he’s doing, and we’re proud of him. He had a good game," he remarked.

This decision to assign captaincy to the 19-year-old signals the team's direction and trust in this prodigious talent as they prepare for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.

On their pre-season tour in Marbella, Spain,  Pirates are aiming to build team cohesion and enhance their competitiveness.

Mbokazi had established himself as a central figure in Pirates under former coach Jose Riveiro, making 19 appearances last season.

Ouaddou indicated that giving Mbokazi the captaincy is a step towards integrating him even more deeply into the team's fabric. "We want to give him more time because he will be one of the main men for us this season," he added.

The match against Pafos FC was critical in terms of applying lessons from their earlier 2-0 defeat to English club Bolton Wanderers. Despite the mixed results, Ouaddou was content with the team's evolving understanding of his tactics.

"We decided to play very high to prevent this team from building. It worked, I'm happy about the plan," he noted, expressing optimism about the team’s progress.

Ouaddou emphasised the importance of matching their performance expectations with the reality of results. "You know sometimes as coaches, we have to analyse even when you lose the game. We cannot just react as a fan," he cautioned, underlining the introspective approach planned for the pre-season.

Looking ahead, Pirates will face Spanish second-tier side Las Palmas on Thursday, a fixture that promises to challenge their growing tactical prowess.

With the foundation laid by skilled young players like Mbokazi, the Pirates are set on a trajectory that holds much promise for the upcoming season.