Rele Mofokeng still a Buccaneer – for now, says Abdeslam Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up about the speculation surrounding star player Relebohile Mofokeng, whose future with the club is currently uncertain.

Since the transfer window opened, Mofokeng has been linked with a number of clubs in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the Netherlands, as well as Egypt.

Most of the speculation has surrounded Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, who signed Mohau Nkota from Pirates last month, and had reportedly agreed a fee with Pirates to sign the 20-year-old Mofokeng.

A move to Al-Ettifaq will see him reunited with fellow academy graduate Nkota, who has become a popular figure in the club ever since completing the move.

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However, despite all of the speculation, Mofokeng remains an Orlando Pirates player. Last weekend, he was on the field for the entire 90 minutes in the club’s MTN8 victory over Polokwane City.

Now, new head coach Ouaddou, when speaking to the media on Tuesday,  insisted he would like the player to remain with the club for the rest of the season.

“I read this news as well, such a talent, of course it attracts a lot of clubs,” Ouaddou said.

“But I trust my board, I trust the club because definitely he’s one of our major players this season and we need him to compete at the highest level. We need this kind of players in our team. As a coach I’m still confident but in football you never know what will happen.

“But still now I’m still confident (that he will stay) since I didn’t receive any information, but I hope he will stay with us.”

Pirates will kick off the new campaign when they host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium this Saturday. Kick off is at 5.30pm.

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