Orlando Pirates have another exciting youngster in their midst after some stellar displays at the Diski Challenge level.
Mpho Padime, nicknamed ‘Mphopho’, has already garnered some internet fame for his flashy skills on Instagram.
Can this all translate into the real thing?
Orlando Pirates find a new teenage midfield maestro?
Pirates Diski Challenge coach Roscoe Krieling replaced Joseph Makhanya at the start of the campaign, and his side sits atop the standings. Mpho Padime has stood out with his flair and skills. The teenager is now reportedly training with the senior side. ‘Mphopho’ has already garnered huge interest online, with his Instagram account already clocking 16,800 followers. Krieling has spoken of Padima as one of the most advanced midfielders of his generation, with elegance, maturity, tactical smartness and the ability to boss a game from central areas. Born in June 2007, the 18-year-old stands 179cm tall.
“Honestly, before I came back to Pirates, I was not 100% sure. Everyone said he has an Instagram following already, and as a coach, you say you wanna know more about him. I spoke to him and watched his Instagram and the kind of football player he is,” Krieling told KickOff.com.
“I went to him and said, ‘I don’t mind [you] doing it, but for me, if you do it in the right spaces and at the right time, I won’t mind. But if you do it in the wrong areas, I will jump on you.
“I think if you watch him, he does it in the right spaces and right time. He eliminates people, and he brings his teammates back to play. If you do that, I will let you play as free as possible as long as it is in the attacking third,” Krieling said.
Follow Mphopho on Instagram to see some silky skills!
Mbule has a lot to prove with Orlando Pirates
Speaking of talented technicians, Sipho Mbule has made a satisfactory start to his career with Pirates. However, old habits die hard. Despite getting his hands on the MTN8 title already this term, the 27-year-old playmaker has so far failed to register a single goal or assist in 14 appearances for the Sea Robbers. It might be justified to claim that Mbule lacks killer instinct at the sharp end of the pitch. Mbule’s club career progression has similarities to his trajectory with the national team. Pirates have a trio of league fixtures coming up to round out the calendar year.
