Orlando Pirates’ Mpho Padime says township football shaped his dribbling style

Mpho “Phopho” Padime says his instinct to dribble is rooted in the football he grew up watching and playing, despite Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s warning against excessive showboating.

The exciting Pirates and South Africa U-23 attacker has made only a handful of appearances this season, but his skill and willingness to take on opponents have already made an impression on Buccaneers supporters.

Padime accepts he may need to modify aspects of his game, although he believes some of his movements happen naturally once he is on the pitch.

“I would like to change but some things just happen when I am on the pitch,” Padime said as the SA U-23s prepared for international friendly matches against Algeria in Bloemfontein this week.

“I grew up watching that type of football most of the time and not European football. I grew up in the township where guys dribble and sometimes [showing off] just happens.”

Ouaddou has made it clear that he does not want his players to use skill simply for entertainment, meaning Padime could be required to strike a balance between expressing himself and following the coach’s instructions.

The South Africa U-23 international also identified former Pirates playmaker Relebohile Mofokeng as an important influence. Mofokeng is now making an impression at Royal Union Saint Gilloise in Belgium after moving there following his performances for Bafana Bafana at the 2026 World Cup in June.

“‘Rele’ is a good guy, he gives me advice every time I talk to him. He guides me because he is older than me. We talk and he is like my brother and I want to see myself where he is now,” Padime said.

He recalled meeting Mofokeng before Pirates’ DDC, their under-23 league team, travelled to the Netherlands.

“When I went to the Netherlands with the DDC [Pirates’ under-23 league team], he came to see us before we left. I spoke to him to ask him how he has managed to gel with his new team in Belgium and he said it is about working hard.”

Padime was noticed while playing in township football tournaments before earning his opportunity with Pirates. He urged his former amateur team-mates not to give up on their ambitions, saying their surroundings should not prevent them from reaching the professional game.

“My message to the guys in the township is not to lose hope and they must continue working hard. Playing in the township does not mean that you are down; you don’t know who is watching.”

The attacker said the past few months had been positive and credited those around him for helping maintain his focus.

“The last few months have been good and I am happy with my progress. People around me are pushing me to continue working hard and everything will take care of itself.”