Boitumelo Radiopane strengthened his case for more game time at Orlando Pirates, delivering a goal and an assist on his first start of the season against Sekhukhune United.
“I told him from yesterday that he’s going to start,” the Pirates coach said after the 2-0 victory. “There are some games you have to take your chance. For me, he took his chance.”
That may be the most significant aspect of Radiopane’s display. Pirates have been searching for greater attacking consistency, while Yanela Mbuthuma has come under scrutiny after failing to score so far this season. Radiopane’s intervention has therefore arrived at an opportune moment.
Ouaddou was particularly encouraged by the striker’s confidence and believes there is considerably more to come.
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“It’s good to have one more striker that’s able to score, it’s very positive for his confidence,” he said. “This boy has everything to be successful. He has the profile to be the true striker.”
Radiopane’s opportunity could hardly have come at a better time, with Pirates preparing to face Sekhukhune again on Saturday in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final.
The sides will meet three times in the space of a week, giving Radiopane another opportunity to turn an impressive cameo into something more substantial.
“Let’s hope that he is going to keep going, to keep this spirit and maybe to score more goals,” Ouaddou said.
For Pirates, that would give the coach a welcome selection problem.