Can 'top striker' Boitumelo Radiopane rise to outshine Orlando Pirates teammates Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota & Mbekezeli Mbokazi? - 'If he gets enough time...'

Boitumelo Radiopane has been playing professional football for the past four seasons, but has been overshadowed by recently introduced youngsters.

His former development coach, Mandla Qhogi, believes the 23-year-old should not be ruled out and is a quality footballer who can achieve big things.

“Radiopane is one of the prospect players that I believe if he gets enough time, as much as they are giving him now – those 15-20 minutes – he will adapt to get his rhythm," Qhogi told FARPost.

"Pirates will benefit more in the striking department from that player. It’s the physique he possesses. His ability to protect the ball. The running into spaces also. The scoring part is very important because he is a striker. He is a top striker," he added.

“I still believe even now in the DDC, no one is up on his goal records of 25 goals that he scored in the 2021/22 season. He still holds that record.”

While the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi became instant hits when introduced to top-flight league football, Radiopane is yet to really take off.

He was a bit-part player last season after returning to Pirates from a loan spell at Cape Town Spurs, where he suffered a career-threatening injury.

For someone who has been playing professional football for the past four seasons, Radiopane would be fighting to cement his place in the Buccaneers team and not lag behind the youngsters who came after him.

The Vaal-born player is part of the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Cosafa Cup, and this is a chance for him to show his worth on the international scene.

This is also a stage to prove he deserves to be in the plans of the incoming Pirates coach.