‘I compare him with Zinedine Zidane’ – Pirates midfielder gets high praise from Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed his delight at the opportunity to work with midfielder Sipho Mbule, who he describes as an incredible player.

Mbule was much maligned during his final years at Mamelodi Sundowns over a number of off-field issues, which followed him on loan at Sekhukhune United last season, but he has been reborn since joining forces with Ouaddou at Pirates.

The midfielder’s career was thought to be heading downwards but the Moroccan coach has given him a new lease of life, turning him into a great and reliable player for Pirates while helping him return to the national team after a four-year hiatus.

Mbule is now among Pirates’ main players and is set to be at the centre of Bafana Bafana’s run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, something that seemed unthinkable six months ago.

Mbule just like Zidane as per Ouaddou

“I said it before I signed with Pirates that one of the players I’d like to work with is Sipho Mbule,” the former Marumo Gallants coach said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“I was very happy to find him at Orlando Pirates and we have to give credit to the club and the chairman who gave a second chance to a talent like that.”

So important is Mbule to Ouaddou that the tactician has compared him with maverick former France playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

“And Sipho Mbule, if I have to compare him, I compare him with Zinedine Zidane. He has the talent, he has eyes at the back of his head, he can see before receiving the ball,” added Ouaddou.

“He can make some fantastic drills that nobody else can do. Sipho, I started working with him in the pre-season and we have seen the results. He went back to the national team.”

Pirates coach gives advice to ‘MasterChef’

However, Ouaddou knows Mbule is a player who will always be under scrutiny due to his not so good past and has advised the midfielder to keep his eyes on the ball.  

“My advice is keep working Sipho, I’m your big brother, your coach, your friend, I’ll support you but I’ll be honest, if you don’t respect football, it will not respect you,” said the Pirates coach.

“I’ll support him 100% as long as he’s working, never stop working. You know where you come from, keep the level high. You’re one of the fantastic players on the continent.”

Mbule is currently in camp with Bafana Bafana preparing for AFCON 2025 and has had a great season so far, winning the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies with Pirates, who are top of the PSL table.