Posted in News on Jan 04, 2003.
His arrival, albeit cynicism from some of the supporters and a critical from the media who ranked him as an unknown quantity. But Radebe has since massaged the supporters’ fears and is slowly developing into the kind of a deadly striker the Amakhosi faithful had hoped for.
Leading Amakhosi scorer with three goals may not come across as an extraordinary feat given the Glamour Boys’ past reputation.
But Radebe’s movements in and around the box have been a marvel to watch. In DR Congo hitman Kabamba Musasa, Radebe has found twin and the two have shown a great understanding of each such that when the one is fielded with a different partner the other appears lost.
The two are also friends of the field, as Radebe teaches French-speaking Musasa basics in the English language. The lanky striker, who admires French and Arsenal deadly striker Thierry Henry’s style of play, says he is happy with his progress at Naturena so far.
"I am still new at the club and it’s great to get a place in the starting team. It is not always easy and when you get rare chances like these you have cling on to that,” he says. “But I need to start scoring regularly while helping other players score at the same time.”
Radebe, who signed a two-year deal with an option for a third season, might have ranked as a small fish among the local supporters after being restricted to the now defunct Free State Stars bench due to injuries last season, now seems to have adjusted well into the Chiefs setup.
The hardworking striker made waves in his first season at the Free State side, scoring 12 goals in 22 appearances. However, he was not so lucky last season as he was bogged down by injuries and only made 17 appearances with three goals. He played alongside Orlando Pirates striker Jimmy Kauleza at Stars but it was the latter that made headlines as "defenders concentrated more on Radebe” while Kauleza had a great time punishing defenders.
Radebe announced his arrival at Naturena with a brace in the 2-1 win away to Black Leopards following an impressive run by midfield sensation Jabu Pule. The energetic Pule set up David Radebe with a brilliant back-heel pass and the former Free State Stars player made no mistake beating a diving 'keeper Silver Tshabalala in the 20th minute.
Pule was back in the spotlight in the second half, as if to say “to Radebe with love” - he impressively left two defenders wanting and, again, fed Radebe who converted from the close range in the 70th minute completing his brace.
Against rivals Pirates Radebe came on a second half substitute in place of Josias Macamo but it was his twin Musasa that got the goal.
"It was great playing against Pirates and I am looking forward to more of these games. It’s a pity we missed out on the Coca-Cola Cup as I was really looking forward to a winners medal in my first season,” says Radebe. “But I was not bothered to start on the bench against Pirates or any other game, as that is part of the coach’s tactics and we all make the same contributions to the team.”
He followed that up with another substitute’s appearance against Jomo Cosmos in Rustenburg coming on for injured Phumlani Mkhize after 23 minutes and put Amakhosi in firm control for a revenge victory with the second goal of the match on 56 minutes.
Radebe believes that the team has started picking and that supporters came brace themselves for good things to come. All departments are almost balanced with most on the injured players coming back to bolster the team. “We get a good supply from midfield and it’s only a question of when will more goals start flowing,” he smiles.
Radebe Fact File
Birth: 27 September 1979
Place of birth: Koppies in Free State
Position: Striker
Jersey: 14
Nickname: Zinto
Former clubs: TKZee FC, One Heart (both amateur), Free State Stars.
Chiefs league goals: 5
International caps: 0
NB: This article was published in the January issue of Amakhosi magazine
