Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou is hopeful that youngster Relebohile Mofokeng will remain with the club despite reported interest from overseas clubs.
Media in the United States reported this week that Minnesota – home to Bafana Bafana winger Bongokuhle Hlongwane – had tabled a bid of around R35 million for the 19-year-old midfielder.
But Ouaddou was quick to brush aside the speculation after naming Mofokeng in his starting XI for Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium.
“I was only focused really on the game against Stellenbosch. I didn’t have time to even watch, or to look or read from the media,” Ouaddou said after the match.
“What I know is that Rele is with us, and today he did well. It means he is with us, and I hope he will be with us.”
The victory lifted some pressure off the French-Moroccan coach and his squad following back-to-back league defeats to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants.
Pirates climbed from second-bottom to 13th place on the Premiership table with four points from three matches, thanks to a thunderous strike from Kamogelo Sebelebele.
However, the win came at a cost, with defender Deano van Rooyen forced off in the first half due to a suspected quad injury. Ouaddou confirmed the player would undergo further medical examination before the extent of the setback is known.
“I still haven’t discussed it with our medical department,” he admitted. “I think we are going to have an exam for him to be sure, but at the moment, I cannot tell you more.”
Pirates now switch their focus to a crucial MTN8 semi-final second leg against Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Having conceded in the first leg, the Buccaneers trail the tie and will need a bold performance to overturn the deficit against their fierce rivals.