Pirates Diski Challenge Coach On Radiopane After COSAFA Squad Call-Up

Orlando Pirates wonderkid Boitumelo Radiopane has been shining in the DStv Diski Challenge. Last season h found the back of the net on 24 occasions. And just a reminder, he has a contract with the first team. The 19-year-old forward’s fine performances earned him a call-up at Bafana Bafana squad that will compete in the COSAFA Cup in Durban. Buccaneers Diski coach Mandla Qhogi says the youngster deserves to be recognised by the national team.

“Radiopane is a fantastic player and he is one person who works very hard,” said the Pirates juniors coach as per The Citizen. “The work that he has been putting in all these years is showing, it is not by mistake that now he has been called for the senior national team.

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‘So, I know the kind of person that he is and a kind of a player that he is. This is a good opportunity for him and he should grab it with both hands. Players tend to relax when they get to this level, they forget the main purpose and the reason behind doing what they do.”

“But, all I can say is that he is a very disciplined boy, who works hard and goes after everything that he wants. I think that is what is going to help him to be the best player that he wants to be. You must know that once you have been selected for the national team all eyes are on you.”

Now, since Radiopane didn’t get an enough opportunity to prove himself in the first team. He has been loaned out to Cape Town Spurs in the Mother city so he can grow. Qhogi says it’s a good chance for Radiopane to grow as a player.

“It is a chance for him to grow as a player, it’s a big stage and what he has to do is to remain focused. Pirates is a big team and it is not easy to break into the senior team. Once you make it (promotion to first team) you must keep your head high and remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing.”

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Bafana Bafana’s Cosafa Cup Squad:

Mcaba Athenkosi (Stellenbosch), Adams Jayden (Stellenbosch), Antonio van Wyk (Stellenbosch), Lebohang Nthene (Stellenbosch), Lincoln Vyver (Cape Town Spurs), Chumani Butsaka (Cape Town Spurs), Azola Matrose (Chippa Utd), Zuko Mdunyelwa (Chippa Utd), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport Utd), Kegan Johannes (SuperSport Utd), Selaelo Rasebotja (SuperSport Utd), Ethan Brooks (AmaZulu), Olwethu Mzimela (AmaZulu) Khulekani Shezi (Royal AM), Keletso Sifama (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowan Human (Maritzburg Utd), Siyanda Msani (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sydney Malivha (Baroka), Dan Ndhlovu (Baroka), Macbeth Mahlangu (TS Galaxy), Sbonelo Cele (Golden Arrows), Boitumelo Radiopane (Orlando Pirates), Katlego Mashigo (Portadown, Ireland).