Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained what he told Mpho Padime before the teenager made his long-awaited first-team debut.
The 19-year-old came off the bench during the Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 semi-final second-leg victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday.
The** Sea Robbers** secured a comfortable 3-0 win at the Orlando Amstel Arena. That completed a 4-0 aggregate victory after their 1-0 triumph in the first leg in Polokwane.
The result booked a place in the MTN8 final. It also kept the Buccaneers on course for a record-extending fifth consecutive MTN8 title.
Padime entered the contest in the 83rd minute. He replaced Gamphani Lungu with Pirates already leading 2-0. The youngster did not take long to make an impact.
In stoppage time, Padime produced a clever piece of skill before helping create Kamogelo Sebelebele’s goal.
The teenager controlled the ball stylishly before playing it forward. Tshepang Moremi was involved in the move before the ball eventually returned to Sebelebele, who completed the attack.
Padime’s piece of flair brought a huge reaction from the Orlando Pirates supporters.
While Abdeslam Ouaddou has previously shown his dislike for unnecessary showboating, the French-Moroccan coach had no problem with Padime’s decision.
The situation was different because the team were already comfortably ahead. Ouaddou revealed that he had actually encouraged Padime to enjoy himself before sending him onto the pitch.
“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.’”
The Orlando Pirates coach explained that there is a time and place for flair. He would not want to see players attempting such tricks when the game is still finely balanced.
“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.”
However, the situation changes when Bucs have a commanding advantage. “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 impressive cameo can earn him more opportunities in the Orlando Pirates first team. For now, the teenager has made his debut and helped the Buccaneers reach another MTN8 final.
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