Mpho ‘Phopho’ Padime’s youth coach, Mpho Moloi, has explained how Orlando Pirates won the race against rivals Kaizer Chiefs to sign the midfield sensation.
Padime signed with the Buccaneers in September 2025 to play for the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 18-year-old playmaker caught Pirates’ attention while playing in Kasi football tournaments, where he gained popularity as one of the exciting attackers for his technical abilities.
After making waves in amateur football, Padime made a big jump to the Pirates reserves side to begin a new career path at one of the biggest clubs in South African football.
In his first season with Pirates, Phopho quickly won the hearts of football lovers after proving to be the key figure under the guidance of coach Roscoe Krieling.
Padime played a crucial role for Pirates in the just-ended campaign, helping his side win their first-ever DDC title since its formation in 2014. The skilful youngster scored 10 goals in his many matches at the Houghton-based outfit, emerging as one of the talented players who could be considered for promotion to the Pirates senior team next season.
KAIZER CHIEFS TABLED OFFER FOR MPHO PADIME BUT…
Before penning a deal with Orlando Pirates, Padime had a concrete option to join Kaizer Chiefs, who had already tabled an official offer for the highly-rated attacker.
However, according to his former coach, Moloi, the Glamour Boys only offered a contract to feature in the club’s Gauteng Development League [GDL] structures. This allowed Pirates to easily win the race for his signature by offering a DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] contract, presenting a faster pathway toward top-flight football.
In an interview with FARPost, Moloi, who coached the starlet at Kathorus Juventus FC in Katlehong, said: “People don’t know that Phopho was close to joining Kaizer Chiefs and we even had an offer from the club.
“The problem is that Chiefs were offering the GDL contract, and Pirates came in with a DDC contract. And that made sense for his future, so that’s how the move to Orlando Pirates came about.
“I’m happy that it’s turning out well for him, and people have yet to see his best.”
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