Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sabelo Radebe’s talent and skill have not gone unnoticed by Chiefs’ hordes of fans, who admire the work ethic and dynamism of the Chiefs Youth Development Academy graduate.

Supporters have tracked his progress through Chiefs age group teams and the reserves over the years and have now voted for him to be part of the inaugural DStv Compact Cup. He will be part of the Inland 2 known as the Warriors FC team.

First on his mind has been Chiefs’ return to training after the festive holidays as he looks towards pushing himself in the current break, before participating in the compact cup then getting ready for the resumption of the league.

“We are back at training,” confirms Radebe. “We are gradually getting our fitness back. It has not been easy, but we are making progress and trying our best with the help of our coaches.”

He also spoke glowingly of the fact that not just Chiefs fans but football fans in general opted to vote him into the Inland 2 team for Compact Cup. “It’s a nice feeling to be recognised by the fans,” he adds. “It is also highly motivating to be selected for this competition. I must thank the fans for voting and giving me this opportunity to play. I will give my best.”

It’s not the first time that supporters have voted for the Radebe as Amakhosi fans voted for him to play in the Carling Black Label Cup in August 2021.

The attacking midfielder has not lost focus of what is vital for him.  He plans to continue his charge for first team football having already played in two official games for Amakhosi this season, after making his debut for Chiefs in May 2021 against Black Leopards.

“My focus is to keep working hard in training and keeping my fitness level up. I also studied last year and intend to do so in the future again. It’s very important to plan for the future,” says the Soweto-born youngster.

With the 2021 AFCON having kicked off on Sunday he is also keeping an eye on the continental show piece in Cameroon. “I enjoyed watching the opening games and will continue to watch the matches as the tournament goes along”.

Radebe will be joined in the DStv Compact Cup Inland 2 Warriors Squad by his Chiefs teammates Itumeleng Khune, Bruce Bvuma, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Njabulo Ngcobo, Njabulo Blom, Keagan Dolly and the on-form reserve team striker, Mduduzi Shabalala. The tournament will be held from 22 to 29 January.