Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed what he told Mbekezeli Mbokazi ahead of the Carling Knockout final, which was his final game for the club ahead of his MLS transfer.
Mbokazi, 20, has secured a move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, with Saturday’s Carling Knockout triumph being his last match for the club.
The centre-back captained his side to their second trophy this season, with Ouaddou saying he told Mbokazi to bring the title home.
“Orlando Pirates is one of the big clubs in Africa. Every coach wants to have the best players to compete for titles,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“But it’s the ecosystem of football. Nancy, my former club, I was developed there for four years. But after four years I played two years in the first division, then I had the opportunity to go to the Premier League with Fulham.
“I just want to wish him good luck. I told him before the last game, ‘you need to put the team at the first place, and to win this trophy and nobody can speak because you win the trophy’. And the guy won the trophy.
“Normally when football players go to the USA, we wish he’s going to improve, and never forget Orlando Pirates, never forget national team. Not because you go to the US, you need to stop improving and to make effort.
“Think of Orlando Pirates, think of national team, that’s very important.”
Pirates now take on the Carling All Star XI in the Carling Black Cup final next week, but with the game not seen as an official match Mbokazi is not expected to feature.