Posted in News on May 03, 2005.
The 36-year-old former Bafana Bafana captain has spent the past
11 years at Leeds, now in the second tier of English football, but
is set to retire at the end of the season following an Achilles
injury.
Nearly 38 000 fans turned up Monday at the northern club's
Elland Road ground for Radebe's testimonial match, a tribute to the
defender's popularity.
After playing for both sides as an International XI beat a Leeds
United XI 7-3, Radebe said he was desperate to make one last senior
appearance for the club in Saturday's Yorkshire derby against
Rotherham, already relegated to League One.
Leeds, now under the control of former Chelsea chairman Ken
Bates after coming close to financial collapse having been a
top-flight side during most of Radebe's time at the club, are
currently 14th in the table and in no danger of demotion ahead of
this weekend's final round of matches.
But while the fans would welcome Radebe's continued employment
by Leeds, where he has made 261 appearances since being signed by
former manager Howard Wilkinson from South Africa's Kaiser Chiefs
in September 1994, the player could be heading home.
Radebe has also been courted by officials from the South African
Football Association, who are keen to see him coach the national
side when the country stages the 2010 World Cup finals.
"I've had a word with the gaffer (Blackwell) and he said he will
create something for me," Radebe said after the testimonial game.
"I have to let him know my whereabouts, so we will see what
happens."
He added: "Yes, there are expectations. There were a few South
Africa people here from the FA. They wanted me to get involved
earlier, but I've stalled them because I had a job to finish at
Leeds."
Radebe, who has played just two games for Leeds this season
after rupturing his Achilles tendon in August, is also weighing up
potential offers from Fifa and Kaizer Chiefs.
"Long-term for me the Kaisers are an option and I'd like to be a
part of them - but I don't know, I will leave my options open. Fifa
have been in touch. I have a couple of invitations in the next
couple of weeks to meet up and we'll see what comes out."
Radebe, who won 70 caps for South Africa and captained them at
both France 98 and Japan and South Korea 2002, said he hoped his
testimonial would raise £500 000 for several of his chosen
charities and admitted he had been taken aback by the size of the
crowd at the game as well as by the players who took part.
"It's been a great turn-out. I'm really honoured to be given
this opportunity. Sometimes you don't know the impact you have had
on a club until times like these come."
Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister, Gary Speed, Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink, Tony Yeboah, Vinnie Jones and David Batty awere among
those who played for a Leeds XI, with the likes of Bruce
Grobbelaar, Mario Melchiot, Olivier Dacourt, and Jay-Jay Okocha
appearing in the International side.
"It's been so nice to see them all. It shows how much respect
they have for me and I have the same for them," Radebe said.
He added: "Now I've shown I'm fit enough hopefully the gaffer
can put me on for five minutes (against Rotherham).
"After that I'm tempted to carry on, but I think that's it. I
have to accept with my injuries that I have to move on, but I'll
still be in Leeds.
"I'd like to finish in the last game and be there, but a lot
depends on the manager."