Why Orlando Pirates youngster Mpho Padime missed Chippa United win

Questions over Mpho Padime’s absence from Orlando Pirates’ 3-0 victory against Chippa United have been eased, with the highly-rated midfielder still understood to be part of head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s first-team plans.

Padime was not included in the Pirates squad for Sunday’s match at Kings Park Stadium, despite the club continuing to give opportunities to several young players.

Simphiwe Masilela and Kabelo Kgositsile were among those handed first-team minutes by Ouaddou, while new arrivals Neo Rapoo and Thapelo Mokobodi also featured as the Buccaneers secured a comfortable three points.

That led to surprise among some Pirates supporters, particularly after Padime had impressed during the club’s pre-season preparations in Spain. The 19-year-old was subsequently given the number 38 shirt following Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Europe.

However, Padime’s omission from the matchday squad is not believed to signal a change in his prospects at senior level. Instead, he has been allowed to join the Pirates DStv Diski Challenge squad for the club’s historic Winners Tour in the Netherlands.

Padime played an important part in Pirates Reserves’ success in the DStv Diski Challenge last season, when they secured the competition’s title for the first time. Their achievement earned the squad a nine-day visit to the Netherlands, with the tour running from 14 to 23 August.

The Premier Soccer League confirmed the trip last week, describing it as an opportunity for the champions to experience different football cultures and youth development structures.

Padime is part of the group representing Pirates during the European assignment and is scheduled to begin the football programme against SBV Vitesse Arnhem on 18 August. That match will be played at the Papendal training complex.

The reserves will then meet De Graafschap on 20 August before finishing their fixtures with a mini-tournament in Rotterdam on 22 August. Pirates are due to face Sparta Rotterdam and Japan’s Yamanashi Gakuin High School during that event.

The tour has also provided the players with the chance to watch top-flight football in the Netherlands. The Pirates Reserves attended an Eredivisie match at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Sunday, while another live fixture is scheduled to take place at Sparta Stadion on 22 August.

Padime’s involvement in the trip is therefore viewed as another stage in his development rather than a setback. Sources indicate that the midfielder remains under consideration by the senior technical team and continues to feature in Pirates’ longer-term first-team thinking.

His absence against Chippa United was largely explained by his commitment to the club’s European tour, rather than any change in his standing within Ouaddou’s squad.

Padime will now focus on the meeting with Vitesse before turning his attention to the remaining fixtures against De Graafschap, Sparta Rotterdam and Yamanashi Gakuin High School. The tour is intended to expose one of Pirates’ promising young players to different levels and styles of football.