Padime says Pirates flair ‘just happens’ as showboating debate continues

Orlando Pirates teenager Mpho “Phopho” Padime says his on-field tricks are instinctive rather than deliberate, describing them as a product of the township football culture in which he was raised.

The 19-year-old has been at the centre of an ongoing debate about showboating at Pirates, where coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has criticised excessive dribbling and urged his players to focus on producing goals and clean sheets.

Padime admits he would like to change some aspects of his game, but says his upbringing continues to influence him whenever he plays.

“I’d like to change but sometimes your background comes out on the pitch because I grew up watching such and not European football. I grew up ekasi watching the guys ekasi dribbling. So even when I’m on the pitch, it’s not like I plan it, it just happens.”

The midfielder comes from Katlehong, where he grew up watching township football in which individual skill and dribbling are widely celebrated. He regards that style as a natural part of his game rather than something performed for attention.

The discussion has intensified since Ouaddou publicly spoke about the need to limit what he considers unnecessary showboating, with Padime among the players affected by that message.

However, the Pirates manager has also acknowledged that players need some freedom. After Padime made his senior debut as an 84th-minute substitute in Pirates’ 3-0 MTN8 semi-final victory over Sekhukhune United on 29 August, Ouaddou said he had told the youngster to enjoy himself because the result was already secure.

The issue has divided former players and commentators. Former Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo told SuperSport that he enjoys the “sugar” provided by such skill, but questioned whether it could support a player throughout a long career.

Some former Pirates legends, meanwhile, have defended the club’s younger players. They argue that showboating reflects an established part of South African football culture, often described as “Kasi Flavour”.

Padime has also inherited a notable squad number. He now wears No. 38, previously used by Relebohile Mofokeng, who has since joined Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise.

The pair remain in contact, with Mofokeng offering advice on how Padime can develop his game. Mofokeng has told him to “switch”, meaning he should add greater end product to his natural flair.