Ouaddou urges Pirates debutant Padime to ‘enjoy your football’

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou told teenage midfielder Mpho Padime to “enjoy your football” before sending him on for his senior debut in the Buccaneers’ 3-0 MTN8 semi-final second-leg victory over Sekhukhune United.

The result confirmed Pirates’ dominance in the tie and completed a hat-trick of wins over Babina Noko in the space of seven days. Sekhukhune United were comfortably beaten as Orlando Pirates advanced with another convincing performance.

With his side already 2-0 ahead, Ouaddou decided the moment was right to introduce Padime to first-team football. The 19-year-old had recently attracted attention while starring for the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side during their champions tour in the Netherlands.

Rather than burdening the youngster with complex instructions, Ouaddou said he offered him simple advice before he entered the match.

“I will be honest with you, I am someone who wants efficiency, I want goals and clean sheets,” he told SuperSport TV.

“But in the same time, like I just said to my boy, I said ‘come here, my boy it’s 2-0, just enjoy your football. I don’t have nothing else to say, just enjoy your football’.

The French coach explained that young players must sometimes be given the freedom to express themselves, particularly when the result is already firmly under control.

“And sometimes you need to give this freedom to these boys, even I will be honest with you, climbing on the ball, stuff like that, when it’s 0-0 or draw, I don’t like.

“But when we are three goals or four goals, I have to integrate myself in the culture of the country and sometimes to leave them the freedom.”

Ouaddou’s comments underlined the balance he is trying to strike between his demand for disciplined, effective football and the need to help emerging players settle into the senior game.

The Pirates manager said his priorities remain clear during competitive matches: scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. However, he acknowledged that those demands can be applied differently once a team has built a substantial advantage.

Padime’s introduction came after his progress with the DStv Diski Challenge team, including the side’s recent champions tour in the Netherlands. His performance at that level earned him the opportunity to make the step up for the MTN8 semi-final second leg.

Orlando Pirates’ comprehensive win over Sekhukhune United also strengthened the impression that they had control of the contest throughout the seven-day sequence between the two clubs. After leading 2-0, they added a third goal to complete a 3-0 victory and maintain their perfect record against Babina Noko across the three meetings.

For Padime, the occasion marked the beginning of his senior career with the Buccaneers. For Ouaddou, it was also an opportunity to give a young player a taste of first-team football while allowing him the freedom to play without the pressure of having to rescue a tight match.