Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou encouraged teenager Mpho Padime to express himself before the 19-year-old made his long-awaited first-team debut in Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final second-leg victory over Sekhukhune United.
Padime came on in the 83rd minute at the Orlando Amstel Arena, replacing Gamphani Lungu with the Buccaneers already 2-0 ahead. Orlando Pirates went on to complete a comfortable 3-0 win, securing a 4-0 aggregate success after their 1-0 victory in the first leg in Polokwane.
The result sent the Sea Robbers into the MTN8 final and kept them on course for a record-extending fifth consecutive MTN8 title.
Although Padime had only a short time on the pitch, he quickly made an impression. In stoppage time, the teenager produced a piece of skill to beat the pressure before helping create Kamogelo Sebelebele’s goal.
Padime controlled the ball with confidence and moved it forward, with Tshepang Moremi also involved in the build-up. The ball eventually returned to Sebelebele, who completed the attack and added to Orlando Pirates’ comfortable advantage.
The moment of flair drew a strong reaction from the Orlando Pirates supporters, while Ouaddou’s response appeared notable given the coach’s previous criticism of unnecessary showboating.
However, the French-Moroccan coach said he had no concern about Padime’s decision because the match was already under control. In fact, Ouaddou revealed that he had told the youngster to enjoy himself before sending him on.
“I want efficiency. I want goals and clean sheets,” Ouaddou said on SuperSport. “But at the same time, I said to the boy when he was coming in, ‘My boy, it’s 2-0, enjoy your football. I don’t have anything to say. Just enjoy your football.’”
Ouaddou said there was a clear distinction between using skill when a match remains finely balanced and doing so when a team has established a commanding lead.
“Sometimes you need to give freedom to these boys,” Ouaddou added. “I’ll be honest with you, climbing on the ball and stuff like that when it’s 0-0, I don’t like that.”
The coach accepted that his approach must change when Orlando Pirates are comfortably ahead, saying he also needed to respect and understand the football culture around the club.
“But when we are three or four goals up, I have to integrate myself in the culture of the country and sometimes give them freedom.”
Padime will now hope his brief but eye-catching appearance leads to further chances with the Orlando Pirates first team. His debut ended with the Buccaneers reaching another MTN8 final, while his contribution also gave supporters an early glimpse of what he could offer.
The teenager’s next opportunity will depend on Ouaddou, but the coach’s comments suggest that flair will be welcomed when the circumstances allow it.
