Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has shed light on the challenges facing young striker Boitumelo Radiopane, explaining the factors contributing to his limited game time.
Radiopane burst onto the scene with impressive performances in the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC], winning the Golden Boot and Player of the Season accolades.
The successful career at youth level Pirates led to the 22-year-old forward earning a promotion to the club’s first team back in the 2021/22 season.
However, Radiopane struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the Pirates senior team. He was subsequently sent out on loan to Cape Town Spurs for the next two seasons. Unfortunately, his progress was significantly hindered by a major bone fracture injury sustained in June 2023.
But it seems Radiopane has regained Riveiro’s trust as he broke his scoring duck for Pirates in the 8-1 demolition of Marumo Gallants in a league tie on Tuesday afternoon at Orlando Stadium.
Notably, the Pirates bench displayed commendable team spirit by encouraging Radiopane to take the penalty, a gesture that delighted coach Riveiro.
“I already said it not long ago: the human level of this group of players at Pirates is something else this season,” Riveiro said.
“They make us feel proud almost every day for things that I cannot say in public. Things that belong to the privacy of the team. It was [on] public display [against Gallants], showing how much they care about each other.”
RIVEIRO ADDRESSES RADIOPANE’S LACK OF REGULAR MINUTES
Riveiro acknowledged that Radiopane faces significant competition for playing time. The presence of experienced strikers within the squad, coupled with the team’s tactical set-up that primarily utilises a lone centre-forward, limits Radiopane’s opportunities.
“Trust me, Radiopane has been training in a super fantastic way,” he said on SuperSport TV. “But he understands that he’s fighting for a position with a Bafana Bafana striker [Evidence Makgopa] and the top goal scorer [Tshegofatso Mabasa] from a few months ago.
“It’s not easy to get minutes in that position; it’s not because he doesn’t deserve it or is not working for it. He has all the talent to make it possible, and he has shown that he’s ready.”
Radiopane has only featured in three matches across all competitions, accumulating a mere 44 minutes of playing time.
“[But] it’s difficult to get minutes in a team that plays with one number nine so far, but the way he works every day, the dedication, the professionalism, the good soul that he is, you could see everyone was happy to see Radiopane on the field and have an opportunity to score and get confidence,” added the Pirates coach.
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