Mpho Padime marks first Orlando Pirates start with Carling Knockout winner

Mpho Padime scored the only goal on his first Orlando Pirates start as the Buccaneers beat Sekhukhune United 1-0 to reach the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals.

The 19-year-old academy graduate struck at eSgodini on Saturday afternoon, completing a memorable day in which he was also named Man of the Match and received R100,000 in prize money.

The victory was Orlando Pirates’ fourth against Babina Noko this campaign and kept them on course to defend their Carling Knockout Cup trophy. They join Mamelodi Sundowns in the last four.

Padime said he was delighted to have been given the opportunity by Abdeslam Ouaddou and his team-mates.

“I feel very happy, and I’d like to thank the coaches and my teammates for the opportunity they granted me, so yeah I’m very happy,” he told SuperSport TV.

The forward had been waiting for his chance to start and said his journey from the township made the moment particularly significant.

“There’s not much I can say because I’ve been waiting for my chance. I’m from the township and when I first arrived, I was scared but I’ve always wanted to be here,” he said.

Orlando Pirates had to be patient before finding the decisive goal against Sekhukhune United, with Padime explaining that the coaching staff had urged the players to keep attacking the penalty area.

“That’s what the coach told us to play inside the [Sekhukhune] box, we will get a goal, and we just need to be patient because our opponents obviously didn’t come here to lose either,” he said.

The result was achieved in difficult conditions, but Padime said Orlando Pirates were prepared to settle for a narrow victory as they secured their semi-final place.

“It wasn’t easy out there on the pitch, but obviously we have to show that we’re Pirates. It’s hard but we had to try something even if it means we win 1-0, we’ll take it and work better next time.”

Padime has yet to decide how he will use the R100,000 award, saying the decision would be made with his family.

“I’ll decide with the family what we’ll do with it because I know wherever they are, they are very happy.”