Jose Riveiro slaps Boitumelo Radiopane with bitter truth - 'It is terrible competing with Bafana striker & last season's top scorer'

Orlando Pirates striker Boitumelo Radiopane is among the players who have graduated from the club's academy.

He has been tipped to go far in the game owing to his talent and intelligence on the pitch.

The 22-year-old is one of the club's attackers in a busy 2024/25 season.

In his position, Radiopane faces stiff competition against experienced players.

Currently, Evidence Makgopa seems to be Riveiro's first choice but his form has gone down which gives Tshegofatso Mabasa a chance to reclaim his place.

Zakhele Lepasa is also above Radiopane owing to his quality, despite struggles with injuries.

It explains why Riveiro has empathised with the Pirates' Academy graduate who has to prove he is better than the aforementioned players to be considered regularly.

"The competition for the team, for players like Radiopane for example, it’s terrible, he’s competing with a Bafana Bafana striker [Evidence Makgopa] and the top scorer of last season [Tshegofatso Mabasa]," he told the media.

“It’s difficult to get minutes in a team that plays with one number nine so far, but the way he works every day, the dedication, the professionalism, the good soul that he is, you could see everyone was happy to see Radio on the field and have an opportunity to score and get confidence," Riveiro concluded.

Radiopane was given a chance against Marumo Gallants in the latest Premier Soccer League outing.

He scored the last goal in the 8-1 win which revived the team's bid to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the league crown.

The attacker hopes to get another opportunity on Sunday when his team plays Magesi FC.