Mpho Padime becomes Orlando Pirates’ fourth-youngest goal scorer

Mpho Padime marked his senior Orlando Pirates arrival by scoring his first goal for the club at the age of 19, moving into fourth place on the Buccaneers’ list of youngest scorers in recent years.

The forward struck during Orlando Pirates’ 4-0 win over Namibian champions African Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday night. The result secured the Soweto club’s place in the CAF Champions League group stage with a 5-0 aggregate victory.

Known as “Phopho”, Padime was one of the leading performers during the successful 2025/26 DStv Diski Challenge campaign, recording 10 goals and nine assists.

His progress earned him an invitation to train with the first team under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The midfielder was subsequently included in the squad for Orlando Pirates’ pre-season tour of Spain in July 2026.

Padime, who was born in June 2007, needed only his first touch of the match to find the net against African Stars. He combined with Evidence Makgopa before finishing to give Orlando Pirates another indication of his attacking potential.

He came close to adding a second goal later in the game, but his curling attempt from the edge of the penalty area drifted wide.

Padime’s goal places him among Orlando Pirates’ 10 youngest scorers in the club’s history, with his latest achievement adding to a breakthrough period that began with his performances in the DStv Diski Challenge.