Padime credits Mofokeng’s guidance as Pirates winger targets European move

Orlando Pirates winger Mpho Padime says Relebohile Mofokeng has become a big-brother figure as he attempts to follow his former team-mate’s route from the DStv Diski Challenge to European football.

Mofokeng, who recently moved to Belgium, praised Padime as an exciting young talent whose dribbling and entertaining style reflect South Africa’s football culture.

The teenager has now spoken about the close relationship between the two players, saying Mofokeng regularly offers advice as he adjusts to senior football.

“We all know Rele is a good person. He’s someone who gives me advice almost every time I speak to him. He guides me because he’s older than me. I also want to see myself where he is. We speak a lot, he’s like a big brother to me,” Padime said.

Mofokeng’s progress abroad has provided additional encouragement for Padime, who shared the Pirates reserve-team environment with him during their DDC campaign.

While the squad were in the Netherlands, Mofokeng visited the team and spent time with Padime before the winger returned home.

“He motivates me [his move to Belgium]. When we were in the Netherlands with the DDC team he paid us a visit, but I spent a bit of time with him before we left,” Padime added.

The pair have continued to keep in touch, with Padime recently asking Mofokeng how he adapted so quickly after joining a new club in an unfamiliar country.

“I was asking him how he managed to gel in so fast with his new team, being South African and not knowing anyone. He said it’s hard work and doing what he was doing in South Africa,” Padime revealed.

Padime is also beginning to establish himself at senior level after an outstanding season with the Pirates reserves.

He was named DDC Player of the Season as Orlando Pirates won the reserve league title for the first time in the club’s history. Strong performances in pre-season then led to his senior debut.

The winger’s rapid progress has since earned him his first involvement with the South Africa U23 national team.

Padime said he had settled quickly into the national-team camp after receiving a positive welcome from the players and coaching staff.

“Camp has been good. The guys and the coaches have welcomed me well, so yeah, it’s good,” he said.

The next step for the young Pirates player is to maintain his momentum after a breakthrough few months and continue developing along a path that Mofokeng has already begun to establish.