Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has seemed to justify why the club signed midfielder Sipho Mbule.
Mbule was a surprise signing by Pirates as he has made headlines over his off-field issues in the past, reportedly turning up for training while under the influence, during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns and on loan at Sekhukhune United last season.
However, Pirates handed him a deal and it later emerged that it was under the recommendation of new coach Ouaddou who is a big admirer of the player and now, the Moroccan tactician has explained why he does not want only ‘good boys’ in his team.
Why is Ouaddou happy with Mbule’s signing?
“I don’t want only nice boys; I want some tough boys. I will have to manage them, no problem,” Ouaddou told the club’s in-house YouTube channel in his first interview.
“I need different characters. Some coaches want only nice boys who do not give them problems. No, in a team, you need every character and personality.
“Calm people, strong people, sometimes you need some crazy guys. It is my job to link all these personalities and to make the connection in order to reach the target.”
Pirates coach is an admirer of the midfielder
This is in line with what Ouaddou said over a month ago regarding Mbule when he spoke glowingly about the midfielder before it was even known that he was in talks with Pirates.
“These players need management, somebody to be close to them. To understand that they are good players but they have to manage their lives and lifestyle. Mbule is an amazing player, the kind of player I like to have in my team,” Ouaddou said on Marawa Sports Worldwide in May.
Pirates have so far signed nine players who will bring different personalities to the dressing room with Mbule, Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay), Masindi Nemtajela (Marumo Gallants), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Nkosikhona Ndaba (Richards Bay), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Tshepo Mashiloane (Baroka), Sihle Nduli (Stellenbosch) and Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City) already confirmed.
