Padime earns Pirates semi-final place after overcoming backheel error

Orlando Pirates forward Mpho Padime scored the decisive goal against Sekhukhune United and then admitted he had to recover quickly after a backheel attempt went wrong.

The 19-year-old struck at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday to secure a 1-0 victory and send Orlando Pirates into the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup.

Padime was also voted Man of the Match by the fans, earning R100 000 for his performance.

The youngster said advice from coach Abdeslam Ouaddou helped Orlando Pirates remain patient during a difficult contest against Sekhukhune United, also known as Babina Noko.

“I am very happy and I thank the coach and my teammates for giving me this opportunity,” Padime told SuperSport TV after the match.

“I am very happy because I have been waiting for this chance. As I come from eKasi, when I get here and play these kinds of games, I feel very happy because I have been waiting for it.”

Ouaddou had urged his players to stay close to the penalty area and wait for an opportunity, while recognising that Sekhukhune United would not be prepared to make the tie easy.

“The coach told me that we should play near the box and be patient, and we will score because Sekhukhune were also not here to lose. As you saw, it was not easy,” Padime said.

“But as a team, we had to show that we are Orlando Pirates. If it is difficult, we just have to find something, even a 1-0 win, then we would fix things after that.”

Padime had almost provided a different talking point shortly before his goal when he tried to beat an opponent with a backheel. The move failed and he lost possession, but he responded by scoring approximately two minutes later.

The forward, who is affectionately known as Phopho, said he was relieved to make amends.

“I was relieved, yes, because I made a mistake. I was trying to make a backheel, but after scoring, I got myself back into the game and kept my head up,” he added.

Padime also acknowledged that the attempt did not follow the instructions of his coach, who expects such skills to be used only when Orlando Pirates have a comfortable advantage.

“We know coach does not like that [showboating] when we are leading 1-0. He likes us to do it when it is at least 4-0 and up, but I will fix it next time.”