Lepasa sends advice to Bucs starlet Radiopane | Breaking News

Orlando Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa sees a lot of his previous self in Diski Challenge striker Boitumelo Radiopane!

The teenager from Sebokeng is making 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.

Those elements have become a reminder that there is way more to achieve ahead in the same vein.
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, is scoring goals for fun in the Diski Challenge. His tally makes him the top scorer in that league.

Lepasa, who has had a sniff of national team football, says Radiopane’s run in the Diski Challenge is a pointer that he has what it takes.

“He’s doing it in the MDC, and 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. Ncikazi is on record as saying the timing to promote the striker from their Diski Challenge should be good.

“My general feeling, I’m a development coach who has been promoted into the position that I’m in now,” Ncikazi said.
“I love using youngsters and new players. I don’t believe in the recycled panel of players bringing something new. But now you must do that and win.

“There are quite a few youngsters at Pirates that we want to bring up, but the process of doing that must be perfect. The timing must be good; there is Radiopane, Thabiso Monyane, who went into the Olympics.
“But when do you use them? Do you use them under the current situation where you are desperate for points? The timing has to be right because we can either promote or kill them.

“We have to try and protect them, and when the opportunity is correct, we will use them.”
It remains to be seen whether the youngster will live to Lepasa’s prediction, but his talent is there for all to see.

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