Radebe looking to add to goal tally against Pirates
Radebe looking to add to goal tally against Pirates

Posted in News on Mar 18, 2007.

David Radebe has been on song for the Kaizer Chiefs reserve team, since the PSL pilot league kicked off towards the end of last month, with four goals in The Amakhosi reserves first three matches.



Radebe wants to add to his tally on Monday afternoon when the Chiefs reserves come up against the team they currently share the number one spot on the table with, that being the reserve team of arch rivals Orlando Pirates.



When the two teams take to the field at the Eldorado Park Stadium Monday at 16h00, for the top of the table clash the rivalry between the two Soweto neighbours will be renewed. Having scored for the Chiefs first team in a league game against Pirates during the 2002 – 2003 season, in a game which the Amakhosi won 2-0.

Radebe spent time talking to Kaizer Chiefs.com of his ambition to continue with his fine goal scoring form for the reserves, and build up a three point lead over Pirates at the top of the reserve league.



KC.COM: David you have put in some good performances for the reserve team, how has things been going for you in the reserve league?



DR: Personally I would say things are going well, I was fortunate enough to get a pair of braces in our first two games against Benoni Premier United reserves and I followed that with two goals against the Sundowns reserves. Unfortunately I was not able to find the back of the net against SuperSport United in our last game, which I must say was a tough game played against a well organized SuperSport United defence.



KC.COM: The reserves teams next game is against Orlando Pirates, this being a reserve team game do you think given the historical rivalry and history between the teams, the intensity of this game might be a bit toned down?



DR: I really do not think so, you the thing is that you could have Chiefs and Pirates players playing in a local park and both teams would want to win the game, Pirates and Chiefs have a rivalry that extends beyond the PSL through to junior level as well as when the old boys meet each other. So when we clash on Monday it will be just as tough as it has always been, with both teams having the hunger and desire to win with a victory over Pirates comes a lot of bragging rights. One must bear in mind that this is a top of the table clash and who ever wins this game could set themselves up to win the league, we have a number of young players in the reserve team and winning this league will definitely boost their confidence looking ahead to next season.



KC.COM: How much do you know about the Pirates reserve team?



DR: These games are not on television so you cannot get some one to record it and watch it later on, and analyze your opponents strengths and weaknesses. What I do know is that they have scored a lot of goals and that they have literally blown away the opposition, we will not be taking anything for granted and are expecting our toughest assignment to date in the reserve league game Pirates on Monday afternoon.



KC.COM: Any of the players in the Pirates team who you feel could pose a threat?



DR: I believe that Gift Leremi has been on song and has let the Pirates reserves, with a number of good displays and I have always felt that Gift is a real talented player and it is good to see him playing to the best of his abilities. Gift can be a real problem to any defence even at first team level, so I do see him as perhaps the cog in their team and if we can keep him quiet we should be able to do well. Pirates have a really big squad and which ever team they put out on Monday will definitely take some stopping, we know that Pirates will be a real test for us and it is one that we are hoping to pass with a distinction.



KC.COM: Lastly David part of the idea of the reserve league has been for teams to blood players from their youth ranks, and give them the opportunity to get a feel of what the level of competition in the PSL is like. How do you think the Chiefs junior players playing in the reserve team, have done thus far.



DR: I do feel that they have really done well they are a key part of our team; Justice Pilusa scored a crucial goal for us against the SuperSport reserves. There are a number of them in the reserves and really none of them have been out of place, Stephen Faba has been a revelation for us on the left flank. The likes of Itumeleng Khune, Sihle Mbambo and Lawrence Molekwane I feel have grown as footballers over the last months or so and playing in this league is good preparation for them when they play for the senior Chiefs team.

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