Orlando Pirates News Today: Where is Padime? Transfer updates & more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Where is Padime? Transfer updates & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, in the last 24 hours, including Bafana Bafana urged by ex-Bucs skipper to retain Helman Mkhalele, whereabouts of Mpho Padime, Ghampani Lungu’s impact lauded and more.

Bafana Bafana should have Mkhalele

Former Orlando Pirates captain Benson Mhlongo believes Helman Mkhalele deserves a nod to be part of Bafana Bafana’s technical team set-up, let alone the head coach role.

Where is Padime?

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.

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.

Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates
Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates – Image:: Pirates

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.

New signing lauded

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hailed new signing Ghampani Lungu for his strong start to his new chapter with the club.

The winger joined the Buccaneers from Siwelele during this transfer window, arriving alongside a number of new signings brought in to strengthen the squad.

The 27-year-old has made an impressive start to life at the club, scoring twice in four appearances — once in the MTN8 quarter-final and once in three league matches. However, the Pirates coach wants to see more of his players contributing on the scoresheet, rather than relying solely on Lungu.

“You can guess that I’m a happy coach when we find the net, because I’ve been asking for efficiency since last season,” Ouaddou said.

“So, you can imagine that when the players find the net like that, I’m very happy. It helps the team. And to know that we can be dangerous in the last third, and that you have some players that can be very dangerous, I think it’s very good for us. 

Orlando Pirates players celebrate their win over Chippa United.
Orlando Pirates players celebrate their win over Chippa United. Image: Orlando Pirates

“But not only him, but I need to see other players as well to show themselves in this last third, because we have a lot of quality players,” he concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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