DStv Premiership

Lepasa tips Radiopane for big things in football

Orlando Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa sees a lot of his previous self in Boitumelo Radiopane, who was crowned DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) Player of the Season on Sunday. 

The teenager from the Vaal made waves in the fourth tier, where he plays for the Pirates reserve side.

Ever since the first day he watched him, his ability, incredible recording and seeming zeal have remained a reminder of where he is coming from. 

In the same vein, those elements have become a reminder that there is way more to achieve ahead.

Interestingly, Lepasa came through the same route, scoring goals for fun in the Castle League before eventually breaking into the Bucs senior team.

“That boy reminds me of me when I was in the Castle League. I used to score four goals in one game just like he’s doing,” Lepasa told FARPost earlier this year.

Radiopane, who made his senior team debut during the Carling Cup, scored 24 goals this season in the Multichoice Diski Challenge. His tally makes him the top scorer in that league. 

Lepasa, who has struggled for game time after a lengthy injury, says Radiopane’s run in the Diski Challenge is a pointer that he has what it takes.

“He’s doing it in the MDC; I always tell him that if he believes he might even go overseas before I do. I wanted to go earlier, and I think he has that chance to go to Europe at a young age.”

But before he thinks of going overseas, Radiopane still needs to convince Bucs coach Mandla Ncikazi that he is ready for senior team action.

“Great potential and quality in him. He has the ability to score, use his head and use both feet, ability to play short, and play in the space behind. I like those qualities in him, but it is only potential,” Ncikazi told the media. 

“Let’s give him an opportunity in the big league, and then he can start writing the right exams, but I am really optimistic that we’ve got a good player in him.

“We have to give him an opportunity soon; next season, I am sure he will get an opportunity. He is a good potential for this team, and it will be one of those great strikers based on the qualities that I have seen in him,” concluded Ncikazi.

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