Orlando Pirates teenager Mpho “Phopho” Padime says the tricks and flair on the pitch are not planned. They are simply part of where he comes from.
Speaking amid the ongoing showboating debate at Pirates, the 19-year-old admitted he would like to change, but that his kasi upbringing keeps coming out when he plays.
“I’d like to change but sometimes your background comes out on the pitch because I grew up watching such and not European football. I grew up ekasi watching the guys ekasi dribbling. So even when I’m on the pitch, it’s not like I plan it, it just happens.”
Kasi football in his blood
Padime, who hails from Katlehong, grew up watching township football, where dribbling and skill are celebrated. For him, the flair is instinct, not a performance.
The debate has been driven by Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who has publicly criticised excessive dribbling and showboating from some of his players, Padime included. The coach wants goals and clean sheets.
But Ouaddou has also shown some understanding. After Padime’s senior debut, an 84th-minute cameo in the 3-0 MTN8 semi-final win over Sekhukhune United on 29 August, the coach said he told the youngster to enjoy his football with the game already won, adding that players sometimes need that freedom.
Legends divided
Former Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo said on SuperSport that he enjoys the “sugar”, but doubts it can sustain a long career. Some former Pirates legends have defended the youngsters, arguing that showboating is part of South African football culture, or “Kasi Flavour”.
Padime now wears the No. 38 shirt previously worn by Relebohile Mofokeng, who is now at Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise. The two stay in touch, and Mofokeng has said he urged Padime to “switch”, meaning to add more end product to the flair.