Ouaddou urges Orlando Pirates youngsters to stay focused

Orlando Pirates coach Ouaddou has warned the club’s emerging players that talent alone will not secure long professional careers, urging them to remain humble, make responsible choices and take care of their bodies.

Padime made his senior debut in Pirates’ 3-0 MTN8 semi-final second-leg victory over Sekhukhune United, while Masilela has already featured several times this season.

The pair have come through a development pathway that has helped produce a number of promising players at the Soweto club in recent seasons, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng.

Ouaddou said he had followed Padime and Masilela during their time with the reserve side before giving them opportunities to train with the senior squad during pre-season.

“I saw the potential when they started training in pre-season. I also went to some DDC games, and I asked the coaches if I could see them more in senior training. I am not surprised by their potential, but they must keep working and remain humble so that they can always be coachable.”

Padime was among the leading performers in the 2025/26 DStv Diski Challenge campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists.

The youngster’s performances have helped earn him a chance to make the step up to first-team football, but Ouaddou believes the transition also brings greater responsibility. The former Moroccan international has told the club’s young players that a professional career requires discipline both on and off the pitch.

He said they must understand how quickly fortunes can change in football and ensure they adopt habits that protect their long-term prospects.

“A career is minimum ten years, so when I have the opportunity to give them game time, I definitely will give it to them, but they must continue to work and be very professional because in football you can rise quickly, but you can fall quickly as well.

“Be careful about your life, and think about football all the time, take care of your body, don’t drink and don’t smoke.”

Ouaddou has also been impressed by the way Gamphani Lungu has settled into the team since joining Pirates from Siwelele FC.

The Zambian winger has made an immediate impression and quickly established himself as an important attacking option for the Buccaneers. He scored in Pirates’ most recent match against Sekhukhune United, adding to the attacking threat available to Ouaddou.

While Lungu arrived from another club, Padime and Masilela represent the continued progress of Pirates’ internal development system. Their emergence follows the route taken by players such as Mbokazi and Mofokeng, who have also become prominent young figures at the Soweto side.

Ouaddou’s message to the latest group is that opportunities will be available, but continued hard work and professionalism will determine whether they can establish themselves over the long term.