Orlando Pirates urged to protect Mpho Padime’s flair, says Thapelo Liau

A former Orlando Pirates midfield star, Thapelo Liau, has called for greater protection of creative players such as Mpho Padime, saying football must not lose the ability to beat opponents one-on-one.

The debate follows Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s criticism of players who “dance” on the ball instead of taking opportunities to score. His comments have attracted criticism in some quarters.

Orlando Pirates are second in the league standings, two points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with a game in hand, as the campaign approaches the 10-game mark.

Liau believes Padime should be encouraged to make full use of his biggest strength: eliminating defenders with the ball at his feet.

Padime, nicknamed ‘Phopho’, was promoted to the senior team before the start of the season after impressing in the DStv Diski Challenge. He has made three appearances in the Betway Premiership and one in the MTN8 this term.

The tall midfielder wears jersey number 38, which was passed on to him by Relebohile Mofokeng.

“These are the boys that we, as a country, need to protect. I always tell people that in football now, we are killing the most important element, which is eliminating opponents,” Liau said in the latest edition of KICK OFF Magazine.

“You can go worldwide. If you watch Spain, [Lamine] Yamal can take on players.

“We cannot all do the same thing – trap and pass – because, for example, if you play against an organised team, you will never penetrate them with a trap and pass. You need skilful players to unlock them.

“Our football has been lacking that, so we need to encourage our boys, especially the gifted ones, to take on defenders. That is the most important element of a game. It is the greatest weapon you can ever possess.”

‘Players who can do miracles’

Liau also rejected the idea that every player should be instructed simply to keep possession and avoid risk.

“Now you find coaches who say, ‘Play simple, play simple’ – no, there’s no such thing,” he added.

“Okay, some players must play simple because they can’t do miracles with the ball, but once you find a player who can do miracles with the ball, you must encourage him.

“That is why players like ‘Phopho’ must be protected, because history has taught us that players like that get destroyed quickly when we do not protect them.

“Players like Rele and Mfundo Vilakazi, we must protect them by all means because they have got something special.”