Relebohile Mofokeng Urges Orlando Pirates Sensation Mpho Padime to ‘Switch’ His Mentality

Relebohile Mofokeng has revealed an intriguing conversation with Orlando Pirates youngster Mpho Padime, offering the teenage sensation some important advice as he begins his senior career at the Soweto giants. Speaking from Belgium, where he now represents Pro League club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Mofokeng discussed a private phone call with the 19-year-old Pirates prospect. The conversation centred on Padime’s decision to wear Mofokeng’s former number 38 shirt. While Padime reportedly believed the famous number deserved to be retired after Mofokeng’s achievements with the club, the former Buccaneers star took a different view. Instead of treating his old number as untouchable, Mofokeng encouraged Padime to build his own legacy and potentially achieve even more at Orlando Pirates.

Mofokeng’s advice carries added significance because his own rise through the Orlando Pirates system provides a clear point of comparison for Padime. The Bafana Bafana international came through the club’s youth ranks before establishing himself in the senior team. During his time with the Buccaneers, he made 85 domestic league appearances and became one of the club’s most exciting young attacking players. His performances eventually earned him a move to European football with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Padime is now beginning a similar journey, having progressed from the Pirates development system into first-team football. The similarities between their paths have naturally created interest in whether Padime can develop into another major South African talent.

The conversation began when Padime contacted Mofokeng about taking over the number 38 jersey at Orlando Pirates. According to Mofokeng, the young player explained that he felt the number had become significant enough to deserve retirement because of what his predecessor had achieved while wearing it. Mofokeng, however, rejected that idea and told Padime that he had not done anything that should prevent another player from wearing the number. He pointed to his own career as something that Padime could potentially surpass rather than simply honour. The exchange reflects Mofokeng’s belief that young players should focus less on preserving another player’s legacy and more on creating their own.

Mofokeng also used the conversation to address an area of Padime’s game that has attracted attention since his arrival in the Orlando Pirates senior team. The teenager has earned praise for his technical ability, confidence and willingness to take on opponents. At the same time, some supporters have questioned whether his flair and showboating always contribute directly to the team’s attacking objectives. Mofokeng did not dismiss Padime’s natural style or creativity, but he highlighted the importance of turning those qualities into measurable contributions. His message was simple: Padime needs to change his mentality and concentrate on producing goals and assists.

“He has a lot of talent, even better than mine, but his mentality has to switch,” Mofokeng said in comments reported from his conversation about Padime. He encouraged the teenager to work toward scoring goals and creating assists rather than relying only on moments of individual skill. That distinction is important for an emerging attacking player because senior football places greater emphasis on end product, decision-making and consistency. A successful dribble can excite supporters, but an effective final pass, goal or decisive action can have a direct impact on the result. Mofokeng’s advice therefore appears focused on helping Padime turn his raw ability into sustained first-team productivity.

Padime’s own introduction to senior football has already generated significant interest around Orlando Pirates. The Katlehong-born youngster made his senior debut for the Buccaneers on 29 August, coming on as a substitute during a 3-0 MTN8 victory over Sekhukhune United. Making a first-team appearance for a club as prominent as Orlando Pirates represents an important milestone for any young South African footballer. His promotion has also increased attention on the Pirates development system and its ability to produce players capable of competing at the highest domestic level. Padime now has the opportunity to establish himself in a demanding environment where expectations can rise quickly.

The comparison with Mofokeng is particularly interesting because both players have been associated with the attacking side of the game and have attracted attention at a young age. Mofokeng became a fan favourite at Orlando Pirates before making the move to Europe, while Padime is only beginning to establish himself in the senior squad. Their circumstances are not identical, and Padime will have to develop at his own pace. Still, Mofokeng’s experience gives his comments additional context because he understands the transition from the Pirates academy to senior football. His advice also reflects the demands he encountered while trying to turn promise into consistent performances.

Mofokeng’s move to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has provided him with a new stage to develop his game and test himself against European opposition. His early performances have attracted attention, with the South African attacker reported to have scored four goals and registered one assist in seven matches across competitions during the period discussed. He has also continued to feature for Bafana Bafana, including in a 2-1 international victory over Guinea. His progress demonstrates how quickly a promising South African player can move from domestic football into an international and European environment when performances create opportunities. For Padime, that pathway may offer an example of what can become possible if he develops his talent and consistently produces at senior level.

Padime has also begun taking steps beyond club football after linking up with the South African Under-23 national team. His involvement at international youth level provides another opportunity to gain experience against players from different football systems. The move also places greater responsibility on him to adapt to tactical instructions and contribute within a structured team environment. For a player whose individual flair has already attracted attention, that experience can help develop the balance between creativity and efficiency that Mofokeng has highlighted. His performances with both Orlando Pirates and the national setup will therefore be closely watched as he continues his development.

The number 38 story adds an interesting personal dimension to Padime’s emergence at Orlando Pirates. Rather than seeing the shirt as a piece of history that should remain untouched, Mofokeng encouraged the youngster to use it as motivation. His response suggests that he does not want his own achievements to become a ceiling for the next generation of Pirates players. Instead, he believes Padime has the ability to surpass what he achieved if the teenager combines his natural talent with greater productivity. That message places the responsibility firmly on Padime to determine how far his career can progress.

For Orlando Pirates, Padime’s development could become another important example of the value of investing in young South African footballers. The club has a long history of producing players who go on to play important roles domestically and internationally. However, making the transition from academy football to established senior football requires more than technical ability. Young players must learn how to handle pressure, make better decisions, maintain consistency and contribute to team objectives. Padime’s early exposure to senior football will give him the chance to develop those qualities while learning from more experienced teammates and coaches.

Mofokeng’s message ultimately centres on one key point: talent needs to produce results. Padime has already demonstrated qualities that have made him one of the young players to watch at Orlando Pirates, but his next challenge will be turning those qualities into consistent contributions. Goals and assists will not be the only measures of his development, but they will be important indicators for an attacking player seeking to establish himself. The teenager also needs to maintain his confidence and creativity while improving his efficiency and tactical discipline. If he can combine those elements, the number 38 shirt could become associated with the next stage of his own career rather than simply with the player who wore it before him.

Mofokeng’s decision to tell Padime that he can surpass his achievements also reveals the competitive but supportive nature of the relationship between the two players. Rather than asking the youngster to protect his legacy, Mofokeng challenged him to create something greater. Padime now has the opportunity to respond on the pitch as he gains more minutes and experience with Orlando Pirates. His technical talent has already created excitement, while the advice from a former Pirates star has identified the area that could determine his next step. For the young number 38, the challenge is clear: keep the flair, improve the end product and let his performances define his own legacy.