Boitumelo Radiopane has been handed an opportunity to change the shape of Orlando Pirates’ attack, and Lehlohonolo Majoro believes the young striker has already shown one quality that could make the difference: maturity.
Radiopane made his first start of the season against Sekhukhune United on Tuesday and responded with a goal and an assist in a 2-0 victory. It was a timely intervention for Pirates, whose forwards have struggled to consistently convert chances despite an unbeaten start.
The Buccaneers will meet Sekhukhune again on Saturday in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final, holding a 1-0 advantage from the opening match. With a place in a fifth consecutive final at stake, Majoro believes Radiopane has given coach Abdeslam Ouaddou another option.
“One thing that I took from that match, especially regarding his assist, is that he has maturity and team spirit,” Majoro told IOL Sport. “Even though he’s not playing frequently, he was mentally ready and grabbed his opportunity.”
The former Pirates striker was particularly impressed by Radiopane’s decision to pass rather than shoot when Oswin Appollis was better positioned.
“As a striker, the only thing you think about is taking a shot. It’s a matter of ‘let me score.’ But he had the presence of mind to know that Oswin was in a better scoring position. That showed maturity.”
Radiopane’s timing could hardly be better, with Evidence Makgopa injured, Yanela Mbuthuma struggling for form and Sebastien Pedersen still searching for his first goal.
Majoro, who is studying to become a strikers’ coach, nevertheless urged the 23-year-old not to get carried away.
“He must not put himself under pressure,” he said. “He must take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead. He just needs to keep believing that he’s going to score.”
For Pirates, the challenge is turning one promising performance into a sustained source of goals.