By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has praised young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi on his nomination for the 2025 CAF Young Player of the Year award.
Mbokazi and Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers) featured among the top 10 of the nominees.
Mbokazi first made waves earlier this year following his promotion from reserve team, announcing himself in a crucial encounter against defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
That performance marked the start of a breakthrough season, capped by the decisive goal that helped Orlando Pirates advance to the next round of the Carling Black Label Cup and caught the attention of Bafana Bafana’s coach.
Mbokazi has consistently impressed since, showing the strength, composure, and fearless decision-making that have earned him a well-deserved nomination for CAF Young Player of the Year.
Ouaddou shared his personal thoughts with the media regarding Mbokazi’s nomination.
“I think it’s a fantastic gift for him first of all, it proves that [rewards follow] when we are working daily – we are professional, we are taking care of the lifestyle, body, [and], we are working hard. It’s a fantastic gift for the club as well – we don’t have to forget that,” Ouaddou told the media.
“He is representing Orlando Pirates, and for me, as an ex-central defender, of course, I am proud of him, “he continued.
The 46-year-old tactician offered valuable advice to Mbokazi.
“The advice I can give him- is to keep believing [in] your nice potential, to be very humble and to keep working, because you know football goes quick in the two sides. You can go very high, but you can come down quickly as well.”
Meanwhile Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah lead the contenders on the 10-man shortlist for the 2025 African Footballer of the Year Award.
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who both helped Senegal qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, are included alongside Galatasaray and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who won in 2023.
Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele, Gabon forward Denis Bouanga, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Moroccan midfielder Oussama Lamlioui round out the nominees.
Salah scooped the award in 2017 and 2018, while Hakimi finished as runner up in the past two years.
Men’s Player of the Year: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli & Cameroon), Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC & Gabon), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund & Guinea), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain & Morocco), Oussama Lamlioui (Renaissance Berkane), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids & DR Congo), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton & Senegal), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray & Nigeria), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur & Senegal).