South Africa: Boitumelo Radiopane addresses criticism over early-season selection at Orlando Pirates

Boitumelo Radiopane has spoken candidly about the backlash that followed his unexpected run of starts for Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the season, insisting his selection was the result of hard work rather than favouritism.

The 23-year-old forward was trusted by head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou in the opening stages of the campaign, starting the club’s first three matches and briefly emerging as a preferred option ahead of more established attackers Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa.

The decision sparked debate among supporters, many of whom questioned why the young forward had been elevated so quickly.

Radiopane, however, believes critics overlooked the effort he put in behind the scenes.

Speaking on SNAWA on Metro FM, he stressed that matchday selection is shaped by work done far from the public eye.

“To answer your question, I think not everyone sees the work that we do at training, he said. It [starting matches] came as a surprise to a lot of people, asking themselves why I’m starting. So, people don’t understand that everything starts at training.”

The forward explained that competition for places within the squad has remained healthy, emphasising the positive relationship he shares with fellow strikers Makgopa and Mabasa despite the scrutiny around selection.

As I always say, we always support each other in the team, he added. Like with Makgopa, he’s my friend and we support each other when anyone of us is playing or not playing.

Radiopane’s early momentum was soon halted by a hamstring injury, which pushed him out of action for most of the first half of the campaign.

The setback, he explained, arrived just as he was beginning to find rhythm after his third appearance of the season.

I was disturbed by injuries, I struggled with my hamstring after my third game. That’s why it took time to come back, he said.

His absence opened the door for Makgopa and Mabasa to regain their places up front, with the pair contributing important performances as Pirates continued their push in domestic competitions.

Radiopane, meanwhile, has focused on recovery and rebuilding fitness in hopes of reclaiming his place in the matchday squad.

The young striker’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into the balancing act of competition, expectation and pressure within a club of Pirates’ stature.

His comments underscore the intensity of internal competition and the importance of training-ground standards that shape decisions supporters do not always see.

As he works toward regaining full fitness, Radiopane remains determined to prove himself once again—this time without the background noise that accompanied his early-season rise.