Padime Latest: What’s Behind Pirates Youngs…

Mpho Padime celebrates goal during the DStv Diski Challenge 2025/26 match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns

Questions have been raised over Mpho Padime’s whereabouts after Orlando Pirates handed several of their youngsters valuable minutes in the first team, but indications are that the highly-rated midfielder remains firmly in the club’s plans.

Padime was among the youngsters who impressed during Pirates’ pre-season preparations in Spain and was subsequently handed the No. 38 jersey following Relebohile Mofokeng’s departure for Europe.

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With the Buccaneers continuing to integrate their young players into the senior setup, there was some surprise for some sections of the Pirates supporters when Padime was not involved in the 3-0 victory over Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday.

Simphiwe Masilela and Kabelo Kgositsile were among the youngsters given an opportunity by head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, while new signings Neo Rapoo and Thapelo Mokobodi also featured as Pirates comfortably secured three points.

However, according to sources, Padime’s absence should not be interpreted as a sign that his first-team prospects have changed.

The 19-year-old remains very much part of Ouaddou’s plans and has simply been allowed to link up with the Pirates DStv Diski Challenge squad for their historic Winners Tour in the Netherlands.

The trip comes after the Pirates Reserves secured their first-ever DStv Diski Challenge title last season.

The PSL confirmed last week that the champions would travel to the Netherlands from August 14 to 23 for a nine-day tour designed to expose the players to different football cultures and youth development structures.

Padime played an important role in Pirates’ success in the DDC and is now part of the squad representing the club during the European tour.

The Buccaneers’ first fixture in the Netherlands is against SBV Vitesse Arnhem on August 18 at the Papendal training complex. They will then face De Graafschap on August 20 before concluding the football programme with a mini-tournament in Rotterdam on August 22, where they are scheduled to take on Sparta Rotterdam and Japan’s Yamanashi Gakuin High School.

The tour also includes opportunities for the players to experience Dutch top-flight football, with the Pirates Reserves having attended an Eredivisie match at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Sunday, while another live match is scheduled at Sparta Stadion on August 22.

For Padime, the Netherlands assignment provides another valuable development opportunity at a time when he is also being monitored by the senior technical team.

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His involvement in the DDC tour therefore does not represent a step backwards in his progression. Rather, sources indicate that Pirates continue to view the youngster as part of their first-team plans, with his absence from the Chippa match largely explained by his commitment to the club’s historic European tour.

The youngster will now turn his attention to Vitesse, before the remaining fixtures against De Graafschap, Sparta Rotterdam and Yamanashi Gakuin High School, as Pirates continue to expose one of their promising talents to different levels and styles of football. 

Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix 

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