The new Mofokeng is already scoring for Orlando Pirates! Who is Mpho Padime?
South African football may be witnessing the emergence of a new young star. The attention of fans has been captured by 19-year-old Mpho Padime, who is rapidly breaking into the Orlando Pirates first team. The young winger has already made his mark at senior level, and on November 7 he became the main hero of the Carling Knockout quarter-final, scoring the winning goal against Sekhukhune United.
His qualities on the pitch have drawn comparisons with Relebohile Mofokeng, one of South Africa's brightest young footballers in recent years. Notably, Padime was given the No. 38 shirt at Orlando Pirates — the same number previously worn by his famous predecessor. But who is this youngster, and why is he attracting so much attention?
From street football to Orlando Pirates
Mpho Padime, also known by the nickname Phopho, was born on June 11, 2007, in Katlehong, South Africa. He plays as a winger and attacking midfielder. His main strengths are pace, technique, dribbling and the ability to beat opponents one-on-one.
Padime attracted attention through his performances in local amateur tournaments. He does not hide the fact that many of his former teammates are still playing at amateur level. Moreover, the footballer has directly urged them not to give up and to keep chasing their dreams.
His message was simple: playing in the township does not mean you have no future in professional football. You never know who might be watching you play. Padime himself followed the path he now recommends to other young footballers
A fantastic season in the DStv Diski Challenge
Padime's football journey began at local club Kathorus Juventus. Even in his early teenage years, he caught the attention of football fans in the Gauteng region with his spectacular skills and unusual way of handling the ball. His performances and individual moments from training sessions became popular on social media. That was how the young footballer built a reputation even before entering the professional game.
Padime himself has said that his style was shaped by street football. As a child, he watched local players who loved taking opponents on and showcasing their technical ability. Unlike many young footballers who look primarily to European football for inspiration, he was influenced by the local football culture.
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The talented player eventually joined the Orlando Pirates system. In 2025/26, he became one of the standout discoveries of the youth side competing in the DStv Diski Challenge. Padime scored 10 goals and provided nine assists, making a significant contribution to the reserve team's title-winning campaign.
He was not merely one of the best players in the youth setup — he was named the season's best player. That is an important detail: his promotion to the first team was not simply a show of faith in a promising youngster, but a reward for an outstanding campaign.
That level of productivity quickly brought him closer to the first team. Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou invited the youngster to train with the senior squad, and in the summer of 2026 included him in the team's squad for a pre-season camp in Spain. Padime was soon promoted and became a full first-team player.
A debut, first goals and a flying start
Padime made his official first-team debut on August 29, 2026. He came on as a substitute in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final against Sekhukhune United. Orlando Pirates won 3-0, with the young footballer entering the pitch in the 83rd minute.
Despite his limited time on the pitch, he managed to showcase his technique and confidence. In stoppage time, Padime was involved in an attack that ended with Kamogelo Sebelebele scoring. Fans immediately noticed the youngster's courage and his willingness to take responsibility.
His first senior goal did not take long to arrive. On October 23, Padime scored in a CAF Champions League match against Namibia's African Stars. He came on after the break for Tsephang Moremi and almost immediately found the net — scoring with his very first touch.
The match ended in a 5-0 victory for Orlando Pirates. The South African club won the tie and advanced to the group stage. For the young winger, it was a special evening: he did not merely receive another opportunity — he took it immediately.
Then, on November 7, Padime took another step forward. In the Carling Knockout quarter-final against Sekhukhune United, he started the match and scored the only goal in the 32nd minute. After a battle inside the penalty area, the young footballer found himself in the right place and fired the ball into the net from close range.
Orlando Pirates won 1-0 and secured their place in the tournament semi-finals. In a short space of time, Padime has now scored in both the CAF Champions League and a domestic cup competition, gradually transforming from a promising reserve-team player into someone capable of deciding matches.
Why is he compared with Mofokeng?
The main reason for the heightened attention on Padime is the similarity between his qualities and those of Relebohile Mofokeng. The latter progressed from a promising Orlando Pirates academy graduate to South Africa's biggest star. His technique, creativity and ability to create dangerous chances on his own have made him a fan favourite.
Padime possesses similar qualities. He likes taking on defenders, using tricks, changing direction and taking the initiative. His football is defined by flair and individual skill.
Mofokeng is more than just a role model for him. This is perhaps one of the most intriguing details of the entire story. Padime has said that Rele regularly gives him advice and helps him adapt to the demands of senior football. He even recalled meeting Rele before the youth team's trip to the Netherlands. At the time, Padime asked him how he had adapted to a new team after moving to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.
Mofokeng's answer was straightforward: you have to work hard. Padime calls him his older brother and admits that he would one day like to reach the same level as his more experienced teammate.
The story surrounding his shirt number is especially symbolic. After Mofokeng left for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, it was Padime who inherited the No. 38 shirt. For Orlando Pirates fans, it represented a symbolic passing of the baton from one talented attacking player to another.
Padime himself names Mofokeng as one of his main sources of inspiration. Among the footballers he admires is Brazilian legend Neymar. That combination of role models says a lot about his preferences: the young winger wants not only to be effective in attack, but also to entertain fans with spectacular football.
The coach allows flair — but demands end product
Interestingly, Padime's natural love of spectacular moves with the ball does not always perfectly align with the demands of head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The Orlando Pirates boss has repeatedly stressed that efficiency, goals and the team result come first for him. Needless tricks that do not help the team are not to his liking.
However, in August 2026, the coach revealed that he had deliberately given the youngster freedom before his debut. Against Sekhukhune, when Pirates were already comfortably ahead, he allowed Padime to enjoy his football and not be afraid to showcase his abilities.
Ouaddou explained that young players sometimes need to be given freedom, but it is crucial to understand the situation on the pitch. When the score is level, he prefers rational decisions; when the team has a comfortable advantage, he is ready to let his players express their individuality.
Padime himself has admitted that his tricks often happen instinctively. He grew up in an environment where this style of play was a natural part of football culture. That is why the coaching staff must find the right balance: preserve the young talent's individuality while teaching him to use his strengths as effectively as possible.
The 19-year-old Pirates talent is already being called up to the youth national team
Mpho Padime's club success has not gone unnoticed by the national-team coaches. The young footballer received a call-up to the South Africa U23 squad, coached by Raymond Mdaka.
Padime received his first call-up in September 2026. He was included in the final squad for two friendly matches against Algeria, played in Bloemfontein on October 1 and 4. In the first meeting, the young Orlando Pirates player started the match. South Africa trailed at half-time but managed to turn the game around and win 3-1. The second match ended in a 1-1 draw. Padime therefore had the opportunity to make his mark at international level and gain experience against a North African side.
In November, the footballer once again came into the sights of the U23 coaching staff. Raymond Mdaka included him in the final 24-man squad for a two-leg clash with Madagascar in the 2027 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifiers. The matches are scheduled for November 14 and 17. For South Africa, this is an important step on the road to the continental tournament, which will also serve as a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Can he become the new Mofokeng?
It is too early to compare Padime's achievements with Mofokeng's. The latter has already proven himself at a higher level and earned the chance to continue his career in European football. For the 19-year-old winger, the senior journey is only just beginning.
However, his start has been highly promising. He has a successful record in youth football, natural technique, confidence in his own ability and his first goal contributions for the senior team. In addition, he is already earning the trust of the coaching staff and gradually adapting to the professional game.
His winning goal in the Carling Knockout quarter-final was further confirmation that Padime can contribute not only with spectacular tricks, but also with tangible results.
At Orlando Pirates, they hope that the No. 38 shirt will once again become a symbol of the arrival of a major star. Padime, meanwhile, must prove that he can do more than simply follow Mofokeng's path — he must write his own story.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
