Orlando Pirates winger Mpho Padime targets further progress after rapid rise

Mpho Padime has made a remarkable leap from township football to the Orlando Pirates first team in just a few months, but the 19-year-old says his progress is only beginning.

The winger was a key figure as Pirates’ reserves won the DStv Diski Challenge title for the first time. Padime ended the campaign with 10 goals and nine assists, earning the DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season award.

His form led to a senior-team call-up and a place on head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s pre-season trip to Spain, where he travelled with fellow academy products Cristian Derbyshire and Simphiwe Masilela.

The experience marked another significant stage in Padime’s development. He later made his first-team debut before receiving a call-up to the South Africa U23 squad.

Despite the speed of his progress, Padime is focused on continuing to improve rather than reflecting on what he has already achieved.

“For me the last few months I have been happy and those ahead of me are pushing me to work hard and other things will come,” he said.

Padime’s emergence is particularly notable given how recently he was playing in Gauteng’s grassroots football system. According to his official Orlando Pirates profile, he established himself with local side Kathorus Juventus before moving into professional football.

He has since added another young attacking option to the Pirates squad. The winger has attracted attention for his dribbling and creativity, qualities that helped him stand out during the reserves’ title-winning campaign.

Padime has remained conscious of his roots, however, and hopes his rise will encourage other players competing in townships and local leagues.

“What I can [say] to them is that don’t give up, work hard and playing eKasi doesn’t mean you are no one because you never know who is watching and where you will end up,” he said.

“So, keep working hard and God will always help you.”

Padime’s historic DStv Diski Challenge campaign, first-team debut and selection for the South Africa U23 squad have all come in quick succession. The teenager’s progress has now established him as one of the young players to watch at Orlando Pirates.