Orlando Pirates News Today: ‘He proved Broos wrong!’ Padime goal analysed & more

The latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours including former Orlando Pirates attacker lauded for proving Hugo Broos wrong, the goal against Sekhukhune United analysed, and more.

Pirates news as they break

He proved Broos wrong!

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy says he is proud of Relebohile Mofokeng for proving his critics wrong, especially former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

Mofokeng, 22, joined Belgian Pro League side Royale Union SG at the start of the current campaign following an impressive season with Orlando Pirates, helping them win a treble last season, inclusive of the Betway Premiership title, the side’s first in 14 years on his way to be voted the PSL Player of the Season.

The South African international has hit the ground running in Belgium even after Broos said the youngster might struggle to adapt in Europe, especially because of his physique.

#ICYMI: Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy says he is proud of Relebohile Mofokeng for proving his critics wrong, especially former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. https://t.co/pQUSGf8Uuf pic.twitter.com/xXD5Omat7t

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) November 11, 2026

Rele has scored five goals and has four assists in 15 games for USG so far, and McCarthy, a former UEFA Champions League winner heaped praise on Mofokeng, saying he’s done well and can go on to do even better.  

“I think the biggest compliment I can give the boy is that he proved Hugo Broos wrong,” said McCarthy on SportyTV.

“Hugo Broos was highly critical about him, thinking that he was too small, he was too skinny, he was too petite, and he wasn’t up to European standards that he would not fit in. But he’s gone there, and he’s proven him wrong. He’s scored four goals and a couple assists already so early in the season.

“He’s proven his biggest critic wrong and that’s what I’m the most proud of the boy. And that shows that he’s South African blood he’s a survivor. He can survive anywhere. You put him in an uncomfortable situation, and he comes up top,” he added.

“Now he just has to continue, keep believing in himself because that’s the biggest part of it all, believing in yourself. You’re the only one that can pull you out of any situation. And he’s done that, and he’s got to continue to pull himself out of every uncomfortable situation he finds himself in.

“And his football will flourish and hopefully he can establish himself well because it’s a great stepping stone. You know he’s playing for a team that’s in European football. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the Champions League, but they are in the Europa League.

“So, he plays for a team that plays European football, and they are always in the title hunt for the season in the Belgium Pro League. So, he’s just got to make this year a special year, and hopefully the next season he goes on. But yeah, I’m very happy that he’s proven his critics wrong, and he’s doing really well,” McCarthy concluded.

Pirates’ goal was legitimate

Orlando Pirates’ goal against Sekhukhune United was not offside but a legitimate goal, this is according to former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani.

Young Buccaneers talent Mpho Padime netted the only goal of the tie as the defending champions completed a fourth win in all competitions against Babina Noko to book their spot in the Carling Knockout Cup at Orlando Amstel Arena this past weekend.

"The ball goes to Padime who was not in an offside position from when the ball was crossed. So, correct decision by the referee to award the goal in this situation."

Orlando Pirates' goal against Sekhukhune United was not offside but a legitimate goal, this is according to… pic.twitter.com/tOj9Uovr2a

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) November 10, 2026

There was however plenty of debate on social media after the match if the goal was correctly given, though replay clearly shows that Padime was indeed onside when he fired home.

Hlungwani particularly praised referee Eugene Mdluli for getting the decision spot on and allowing the goal to stand.

“Padime is onside, [Tshepang] Moremi is onside, they’ve got every right to challenge for the ball. Unless they were from an offside position,” Hlungwani said on Soccerzone.

“As the cross comes in there, you’ll see he [Moremi] is jumping, so as he’s jumping, he did not play the ball.

“When he does not play the ball, the ball goes to Padime who was not in an offside position from when the ball was crossed.