Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has praised Mpho Padime after the teenager made his first-team debut for the Buccaneers this weekend.
Padime is regarded as one of the promising youngsters coming through the Pirates academy, with some fans already comparing him to fellow academy graduate Relebohile Mofokeng.
The 18-year-old was handed his senior debut during Pirates’ 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Saturday.
Padime was introduced in the 82nd minute with the Buccaneers already leading 2-0, and he immediately showed his confidence on the ball. The youngster also played a role in Pirates’ third goal as they completed a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Padime shines for Pirates on debut
Speaking after the match, Ouaddou revealed the simple message he gave Padime before sending him onto the pitch.
“I will be honest with you, I am someone who wants efficiency, I want goals and clean sheets,” the Pirates coach said after the MTN8 semi-final second leg.
“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’.
“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.”
The result booked Pirates a place in the MTN8 final for the fifth consecutive season, extending their impressive run in the competition.
The Buccaneers will now await the winner of the other semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
