Orlando Pirates’ Mpho Padime: Township football shaped my dribbling

Young Orlando Pirates attacker Mpho Padime says the football he watched growing up in Katlehong has shaped the dribbling style that has become a natural part of his game.

The teenager has emerged as one of the most exciting young players in South African football after impressing for Pirates in the DStv Diski Challenge and earning promotion to the first team.

Dribbling and “showboating” remain subjects of debate in South African football. Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has previously expressed frustration when players choose to take on opponents instead of making decisions that could lead to more goals.

Padime, however, says his instinctive use of skill comes from the football culture in the township where he was raised.

‘Sometimes it just happens’

Padime regularly brings supporters to their feet with close control and, at times, elaborate touches that have become part of his appeal among the Buccaneers’ faithful.

He says those habits were developed while watching local players in Katlehong, where tricks and individual skill were often used to entertain the crowd. Although such play can be criticised when it slows an attack, Padime believes it is difficult to separate his upbringing from the way he plays.

“I would like to change, but sometimes… where I grew up, some things on the ground just happen because I grew up watching those things most of the time. I did not grow up watching European football. Most of the time, I grew up in the township watching the gents dribbling. So when I am on the pitch, sometimes it just happens,” Padime told media at the national Under-23 camp.

His progress at Pirates has also been influenced by Relebohile Mofokeng, who previously wore the number 38 shirt for the club. After breaking into the first team, Padime selected the same number as the player he admires.

Mofokeng left the Buccaneers to join Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, where he has made an immediate impact. Padime says his former club-mate’s progress has provided encouragement as he begins his own senior career.

Mofokeng remains a source of advice

Padime describes the Bafana Bafana midfielder as an older brother and says they remain in regular contact.

“‘Rele’ is a good guy and he is someone who gives me advice almost every time when I talk to him. He guides me because he is older than me. I also want to see myself where he is. He is like a (older) brother to me,” Padime said.

Mofokeng also visited the Pirates squad during their time in the Netherlands with the DDC. Padime used the opportunity to ask how he had adapted so quickly to European football.

“When we were in the Netherlands with the (Pirates) DDC, he came to visit us. I was with him and I asked him how he was able to gel in so fast (in Europe). He said he worked hard and he has been doing what he was doing in South Africa,” he added.

Padime is part of the Under-23 squad preparing to face Algeria in two friendly matches this week, continuing a rapid rise that has taken him from township football to the Orlando Pirates first team.