Grounded Mpho Padime thankful after netting crucial winner in Carling Knockout quarter-finals

Mpho Padime was thrilled to score the winning goal for Orlando Pirates in their Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final with Sekhukhune United on Saturday.

The 19-year-old netted the only goal of the game at the Amstel Orlando Arena after 31 minutes as he connected to a Tshepang Moremi ball into the box.

Padime scooped the Man of the Match award for his performance in what was his first start for the club and seventh appearance overall this season.

Speaking after the game, an ecstatic Padime told SuperSport: “I feel very happy, and I’d like to thank the coaches and my teammates for the opportunity they granted me, so yeah I’m very happy.

“There’s not much I can say because I’ve been waiting for my chance. I’m from the township and when I first arrived, I was scared but I’ve always wanted to be here.

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“That’s what the coach told us to play inside the [Sekhukhune] box, we will get a goal, and we just need to be patient because our opponents obviously didn’t come here to lose either.

“It wasn’t easy out there on the pitch, but obviously we have to show that we’re Pirates. It’s hard but we had to try something even if it means we win 1-0, we’ll take it and work better next time.”