Orlando Pirates’ young striker, Boitumelo Radiopane, is set to return to the Buccaneers for pre-season training following a loan spell at Cape Town Spurs FC. Radiopane, the joint top goalscorer in the 2020/21 DStv Diski Challenge, has had limited game time in the first team due to injuries.
Despite his setbacks, Radiopane’s agent, Mike Makaab, is brimming with optimism about the player’s future at the club. “Radiopane is back at Pirates and will be with the team for pre-season,” Makaab confirmed. “His future at Pirates will be determined after pre-season, and I’m confident that he will play for Pirates, but let’s wait for the pre-season to end.”
This hopeful outlook underscores the potential that Radiopane brings to the team. The 21-year-old will join the Buccaneers on their pre-season tour to Spain, where they will play against Plymouth Argyle, Sevilla, and Al Sadd SC. This will be a crucial opportunity for the young striker to impress coach Jose Riveiro and secure his place in the squad for the upcoming season.
The Buccaneers had a successful 2023/24 season, winning the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup under Riveiro’s leadership. With Radiopane’s potential and the team’s winning momentum, the upcoming season promises to be exciting for Orlando Pirates fans.
WHO WILL BOITUMELO RADIOPANE COMPETE WITH AT ORLANDO PIRATES?
His return to the Bucs would set the stage for an intense competition for the starting striker position. He will be vying for a spot alongside Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makgopa, and Tshegofatso Mabasa, who collectively led the Buccaneers to a cup double and CAF Champions League qualification last season.
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Mabasa, the league’s top scorer with 16 goals, and Makgopa, with five goals, were instrumental in the team’s success. Lepasa also contributed significantly, scoring 10 goals in all competitions, though his form dipped in the latter half of the season.
His performance during the pre-season tour in Spain will be crucial in determining his place in the squad.