Jump to content

Lucas Radebe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lucas Radebe
OIS
Radebe in 2011
Personal information
Full name Lucas Valeriu Radebe[1]
Date of birth (1969-04-12) 12 April 1969 (age 57)[1]
Place of birth Soweto, South Africa
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position Centre-back[1]
Youth career
Diepkloof Wolf Wanderers
1987–1988 ICL Birds
1989 Kaizer Chiefs Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1994 Kaizer Chiefs 113+ (5+)
1994–2005 Leeds United 201 (0)
Total 314+ (5+)
International career
1992–2003 South Africa 70 (2)
Medal record
Representing  South Africa
Men's football
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner1996
Runner-up1998
Third place2000
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lucas Valeriu Radebe (born 12 April 1969) is a South African former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

He began playing in the than known Bophuthatswana Soccer league (BOPSOL) playing for Stocks Birds in Lehurutshe closer to Zeerust(North West Provence) before being scouted by Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, before transferring to Leeds United, where he played 262 matches for the Yorkshire side. During his spells at these clubs, he picked up the nicknames "Rhoo" and "The Chief". He became captain of Leeds United and also of the South African national team, most notably at 2002 FIFA World Cup. Nelson Mandela said of Radebe: "This is my hero." He also captained Kaizer Chiefs during his time at Chiefs.

Early life

[edit]

Radebe was born to Emily and Johannes Radebe in the Diepkloof section of Soweto, near Johannesburg, as one of 11 children.[3][4][5] He attended the local Bopasenatla Secondary School[6][7] until he was 15 years old. His parents sent him to one of the former homelands in Grade 10, Bophuthatswana, as a way to keep him safe from the violent neighbourhood of Diepkloof Zone Four in Soweto. There he attended Ngotwane High School near Zeerust.[6]

Club career

[edit]

Kaizer Chiefs

[edit]

After playing for amateur side ICL Birds in the now-defunct Bophuthatswana Soccer League, and was spotted by Patrick Ntsoelengoe who recruited him to one of South Africa's top clubs, the Kaizer Chiefs, in 1989. Radebe originally started his career with the Kaizer Chiefs as a goalkeeper, and then switched positions to central midfield and then finally to central defence.[8]

He played 155 matches for the club between 1989 and 1994.[9]

Leeds United

[edit]

In 1994, Radebe and another South African player, Philemon "Chippa" Masinga, moved to Leeds United for a transfer fee of £250,000.[10] Radebe was only included in the deal to keep Masinga happy; as it turned out, he became the more valuable investment.[11]

Initially the move was not a success; Radebe did not agree with then Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson, and suffered injuries which prevented him for earning a regular first team place.

Radebe returned to the goalkeeper position in March 1996, replacing John Lukic in the position after he suffered an injury in the second half of a defeat to Middlesbrough.[12][13] Radebe would again play in the goalkeeper position the following month when goalkeeper Mark Beeney was sent off for handling the ball outside his area in the 17th minute against Manchester United.[13] Radebe was brought on as a substitute in place of Mark Ford, and despite Leeds losing 1–0, Radebe earned 'cult-hero' status at the club due to his performance.[13][12]

However, when Wilkinson was replaced by George Graham, his career flourished and Radebe was made captain of the team for the 1998–99 season. Whilst he was captain, Leeds enjoyed a period of relative success; in the 1998–99 season, they finished fourth in the FA Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Cup. During the 1999–2000 season, Leeds finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the following season's Champions League, where they eventually reached the semi-finals. During this time, Radebe turned down the chance to move to Manchester United, AC Milan and Roma. Alex Ferguson commented at the time, "Everyone should be interested in Lucas."[14]

In 2000, he was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award.[15]

However, in 2000 Radebe sustained serious knee and ankle injuries, which kept him out of the game for almost two years, and subsequently found it difficult to regain his form and his place in the team.

International career

[edit]

Following South Africa's readmission to international football in 1992, Radebe was selected for the national team for the country's first official international match against Cameroon.[16] He was 23 years and 86 days old at the time, making him the second-youngest South African to play for the national team, behind Phil Masinga, who also made his debut in the same fixture. He played the full 90 minutes as South Africa, fielding a side made up entirely of debutants, defeated their more established opponents 1–0.[17] He quickly established himself in the side, forming a strong central defensive partnership with Neil Tovey. Although Tovey generally played as the last defender, Radebe was more adventurous in possession and frequently advanced to support attacks.[18] His ability to operate in midfield further demonstrated his versatility and made him an increasingly influential member of the national side.[3]

His first major international tournament came at the 1996 African Cup of Nations, hosted by South Africa, after the country had failed to qualify for the preceding edition and the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[19] His selection was initially uncertain because of a long-term knee injury sustained in 1995, but he was ultimately included in the 20-man squad.[20] Although he retained his place in the squad, he missed South Africa's opening group-stage victory over Cameroon.[21] He made his tournament debut as a substitute in the subsequent match against Angola before returning to the starting line-up for the final group fixture against Egypt and the quarter-final against Algeria.[22] Radebe retained his place for the semi-final against Ghana, helping South Africa secure a 3–0 victory and providing an assist for one of the goals. His performances earned him a starting position in the final against Tunisia, where he played the full 90 minutes as Bafana Bafana secured a 2–0 victory to win their first major continental title.[23]

He remained an integral part of the national defence during the qualifying campaign for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which resulted in South Africa's first qualification for the competition. Radebe's leadership qualities were recognised in April 1997 when he was appointed captain, subsequently leading the team through its remaining qualifiers.[24][25] Shortly afterwards, he was selected for the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. He missed the first two group matches before returning for the third against Uruguay, in which he scored his first international goal in a 4–3 defeat.[26]

His second Africa Cup of Nations appearance came in Burkina Faso in 1998, where he captained South Africa throughout the competition. He was one of only two South African players, alongside Willem Jackson, to feature in every minute. The team began with two draws but secured qualification for the knockout stage with a 4–1 victory in their final group match. Radebe then captained the team past Morocco in the quarter-finals and DR Congo in the semi-finals, although his booking against the latter initially raised concerns over his availability for the final.[27] CAF later clarified that he had received only one yellow card in the competition, allowing him to play against Egypt, where South Africa lost 2–0.[28]

Later that year, Radebe was included in South Africa's squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the country's first appearance at the tournament. He started all three group matches against France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia, as South Africa were eliminated without recording a victory.[29][30]

The following year, Radebe continued to combine his international responsibilities with his leadership at Leeds United, whom he captained to fourth place in the Premier League, the club's highest league finish since winning the title in 1992.[31] He also represented an Africa XI against a Rest of the World team in a farewell match for Nelson Mandela and became the third South African player to reach 50 international caps.[32][26]

At the 2000 African Cup of Nations, he once again captained the national side, leading it to the top of Group B. In the opening match against Gabon, he recorded his 30th appearance as captain, surpassing Neil Tovey's previous record. He then equalled John Moshoeu's record of 14 Africa Cup of Nations appearances in the final group match against Algeria, a 1–1 draw in which Moshoeu was rested.[33] Radebe then became the first South African to register 15 consecutive appearances at the tournament after the quarter-final victory over Ghana.[34] South Africa were eliminated by Nigeria in the semi-finals but defeated Tunisia in a penalty shoot-out to claim third place.[35][36] He concluded the tournament with 17 appearances, equalling Moshoeu's overall national record at the time.

Radebe was also the captain of the South African national football team during both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. South Africa failed to reach the knockout stages on both occasions; however Radebe did get on the score sheet in 2002.

He earned 70 caps for South Africa and scored two goals during his international career, with his last match being against England on 22 May 2003.

After retiring, Radebe was influential in South Africa's successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup. He could also be seen working as a pundit for South African television, and during ITV's coverage of the tournament.

Style of play

[edit]

Thebe Mabanga, a Mail & Guardian journalist, wrote that South African fans remember Radebe in his Kaizer Chiefs days as "a lanky, flamboyant central midfielder who switched to central defence with ease, snuffing out any opposition threat with exquisite, acrobatic scissor kicks and diving headers, and man-marking the most lethal strikers into silence".[37]

Post-playing career

[edit]
Radebe in 2009

At the end of the 2005 season, Radebe retired from professional football. Leeds held a testimonial for Radebe at Elland Road on 2 May 2005 attended by a crowd of over 37,886. Radebe also held a retirement match in Durban, South Africa between a South African Invitation XI and Lucas Radebe All Stars at Kings Park Soccer Stadium. The proceeds from both of these matches were combined with other money raised and donated to charity.

On 28 August 2006, Radebe announced that he was going back to Leeds after failing to secure a job with the World Cup hosts to be involved in the set-up of Bafana Bafana. He said he was "tired of waiting for unreliable people" who had allegedly promised him a role in the national team set up as the South African Football Association prepared to host the next World Cup in 2010.[38]

In 2008, a local Leeds brewery asked for suggestions for a new beer; the most popular suggestion was Radebeer, showing the Leeds fans' admiration of Radebe.[39]

On 8 October 2009, The English Football Association announced Radebe as an ambassador to help boost the 2018 World Cup bid.

A biography, Lucas: From the Streets of Soweto to Soccer Superstar by Richard Coomber was published in 2010.[40]

In May 2010 he won the PFA Merit Award for his contribution to football.[41]

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Radebe was a pundit for ITV's match coverage and also a columnist for The Daily Telegraph.

Radebe revealed in September 2010 that he would like to manage Leeds United in the future and also manage the South African national side. He said both jobs were the only coaching jobs that he would consider.[42] In July 2012, it was announced that Radebe had accepted a position as team manager with the South African national side.[43]

In October 2013, Radebe announced that he was set for another emotional return to the Elland Road ground at Leeds, to be presented to the crowd on Sunday, 30 October 2013.[44]

On 23 January, it was confirmed that Boxer Josh Warrington would fight IBF world champion Lee Selby (26–1) in his first world title fight on 19 May at Elland Road with Radebe joining Warrington for the ringwalk.[45][46] On 19 May, Warrington secured a split-decision victory over Selby to claim the title. With Radebe as part of Warrington's ringwalk and band Kaiser Chiefs also played songs at the event.[47]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1991, he was shot whilst driving with his brother Lazarus to buy drinks for his mother but was not critically wounded. When Leeds United confirmed their interest in 1994, Radebe's decision influenced in part by an incident that had taken place three years previously. Radebe was shopping for his mother, accompanied by his brothers, one of his sisters and her baby. While walking, they heard a gunshot, but didn't pay it much attention because, says Radebe: "In Soweto you heard shots all the time". He felt a pain in his back and he was bleeding, and his left leg went limp. Radebe was rushed to hospital but nothing vital had been damaged. The bullet had entered his back and exited halfway down his thigh. The culprit is still unknown, it is suspected that someone was hired to shoot him rather than allow him to switch clubs.[48]

He was voted 54th in the Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004.

His wife Feziwe died of cancer in October 2008.[49] In December 2008, Radebe was treated for a heart complaint after collapsing while at the gym.[49] Radebe married his second wife at the end of 2015.[50]

Legacy

[edit]

Kaiser Chiefs, a British indie rock band, whose members are all Leeds United supporters, chose this name because Radebe is a former player of Kaizer Chiefs.[51]

Radebe has been an ambassador of FIFA for SOS Children's Villages; he also received the FIFA Fair Play Award in December 2000 for his contribution in ridding soccer of racism as well as for his work with children in South Africa.

In April 2003, for recognition of his efforts both on an off the field, Radebe was given the Contribution to the Community Award in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards.

On an official visit to Leeds, Nelson Mandela said of Radebe: "This is my hero."[10]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[52][53]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental2 Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kaizer Chiefs11989National Soccer League (South Africa)332
1990 National Soccer League (South Africa) 42 1
1991 National Soccer League (South Africa) 38 2
1992 National Soccer League (South Africa)
1993 National Soccer League (South Africa)
1994 National Soccer League (South Africa)
Total 113 5 155[9]
Leeds United1994–95 Premier League 120101000140
1995–96 Premier League 130001000140
1996–97 Premier League 320301000360
1997–98 Premier League 270214000331
1998–99 Premier League 290301030360
1999–2000 Premier League 3102020112462
2000–01 Premier League 2101010100330
2001–02 Premier League 0000000000
2002–03 Premier League 190400030260
2003–04 Premier League 140001000150
2004–05Championship 3000000030
Total 31451611202722563
Career total 314 516 112 027 24118
  1. ^ More detailed statistics for Kaizer Chiefs games for this period are not available.
  2. ^ "Continental" includes UEFA Cup and Champions League appearances.

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[54]
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Africa 199250
199350
199450
199690
1997111
1998130
199970
200070
200110
200261
200310
Total702
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Lucas Radebe[55][56]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 December 1997 King Fahd II Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Uruguay 1–0 3–4 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup
2 12 June 2002 Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon, South Korea  Spain 2–2 2–3 2002 FIFA World Cup

Honours

[edit]

Kaizer Chiefs

Leeds United

South Africa

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "Lucas Radebe". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  2. ↑ "Lucas Radebe: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  3. 1 2 Makhaya, Ernest (12 April 2020). "From troubled beginnings to icon: Kaizer Chiefs and Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe". Goal. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Hay, Phil (19 May 2020). "Radebe: Sometimes I don't believe it, that it was my name Mandela used". The Athletic. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "Lucas Radebe – Footballer". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Radebe donates computers to school". Independent Online. 11 March 1999. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  7. ↑ Adams, Sheena (23 February 2007). "Radebe relives high school life". Independent Online. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Lucas Radebe – World-class footballer". Gauteng Tourism. Gauteng.
  9. 1 2 "My Favourite Footballer…Lucas Radebe". The Equaliser. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2026. After 155 games for Johannesburg side Kaizer Chiefs [...]
  10. 1 2 Shaw, Phil (28 April 2005). "Lucas Radebe: The original Kaiser Chief". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  11. ↑ "Lucas Radebe: The Chief". Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  12. 1 2 Harris, Jordan (4 April 2016). "Remembering Leeds' most notable goalkeeping performance from a defender following Giuseppe Bellusci's cameo". HITC. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 Mewis, Joe (7 November 2019). "The story of Lucas Radebe's goalkeeping heroics at Man United". LeedsLive. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  14. ↑ Hay, Phil (20 September 2010). "Leeds United: Lucas Radebe interview". Yorkshire Evening Post. Leeds. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  15. ↑ "Lucas Radebe to receive the FIFA Fair Play Award for 2000". Archived from the original on 22 December 2012.
  16. ↑ Gleeson, Mark (6 July 2017). "What happened to the 12 men who played for Bafana in that first game 25 years ago?". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Stad, Marjolein van der. "End of the road for Radebe". News24. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  18. ↑ Reporter, Staff (12 December 1997). "Barker buoyed by loss to 'Brazil B'". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  19. ↑ Mseleku, S'Busiso. "WANTED: SA soccer's saviour". News24. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  20. ↑ Hinman, Richard (3 March 2020). "Lucas Radebe: from being shot in South Africa to national icon and Leeds legend". These Football Times. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  21. ↑ Hawkey, Ian (24 June 2019). "'Mandela brought extra pressure': the story of South Africa's Afcon triumph". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  22. ↑ "How Bafana won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations". Kick Off. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  23. ↑ "1996 Bafana Bafana Team". South African Hall of Fame. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  24. ↑ "Bafana Bafana, the SA soccer team, with Lucas Radebe replacing Neil Tovey as captain, wins 2-1 against the former Zaire in a Wo | South African History Online". sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  25. ↑ "Khune, Tovey, Radebe, Mokoena: Records of Bafana Bafana's longest-serving captains | Flashscore.co.za". www.flashscore.co.za. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Radebe shares his milestones". IOL. 2061-02-25. Retrieved 2026-11-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ↑ Reporter, Staff (27 February 1998). "Radebe will lead in final". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  28. ↑ "SOCCER: ROUNDUP -- AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS; Egypt Captures Cup Title". The New York Times. 1 March 1998. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  29. ↑ Biyela, Lunga (2191-07-22). "Revisiting the pioneers: Where the 1998 Bafana Bafana first-World-Cup heroes are today". iOS. Retrieved 2026-11-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ↑ "Leeds United - on this day: Lucas Radebe crashes out of the World Cup with South Africa". Yorkshire Evening Post. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  31. ↑ "OzWhite's Leeds United F.C. History". www.ozwhitelufc.net.au. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  32. ↑ Reporter, Staff (16 August 1999). "MANDELA SQUAD NAMED". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  33. ↑ Cooper, Billy (2274-06-24). "Moloto might Trott out 'old faithfuls'". IOL. Retrieved 2026-11-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ↑ "BBC News | CUP NEWS | Early exit for Ghana". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  35. ↑ "Nigeria 2 - 0 South Africa". The Guardian. 10 February 2000. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  36. ↑ "Bafana pip Tunisia on penalties". IOL. 26 April 1982. Retrieved 12 November 2026.
  37. ↑ Brad Morgan. "Lucas Radebe: The Chief". Southafrica.info. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  38. ↑ "Radebe quits South Africa". BBC Sport. 28 August 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  39. ↑ "Cheers Lucas!". leedsunited.com. Leeds United F.C. 8 April 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  40. ↑ Lucas Radebe: From Soweto to Soccer Superstar: Amazon.co.uk: Richard Coomber: Books. ASIN 1905080735.
  41. ↑ "Radebe recognised at PFA awards". Kickitout.org. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  42. ↑ "Leeds only club for me – Radebe". BBC News. 24 September 2010.
  43. ↑ "SAFA's master-stroke: Lucas Radebe returns as Bafana team manager". Neal Collins. 2 July 2012.
  44. ↑ "Leeds legend Radebe set for emotional return to Elland Road". Yorkshire Post. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  45. ↑ "Venue for Lee Selby vs Josh Warrington announced". Boxing News. 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  46. ↑ "Date set for Lee Selby vs Josh Warrington". Boxing News. 23 January 2018. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  47. ↑ "BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  48. ↑ "The Wounded Chief". Sky Sports.
  49. 1 2 "Radebe recovers after heart scare". BBC Sport. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  50. ↑ "Lucas Radebe says 'I Do' – SundayWorld". www.sundayworld.co.za. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  51. ↑ "Interview: Kaiser Chiefs". Music OMH. April 2005. Archived from the original on 21 September 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  52. ↑ "Leeds Stats" (PDF). lucasradebe.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  53. ↑ "Lucas Radebe". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  54. ↑ "Lucas Radebe". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  55. ↑ "South Africa - International Matches 1996-2000". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  56. ↑ "South Africa - International Matches 2001-2005". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  57. ↑ "Milosevic gives; Villa a touch of magic". The Independent. 25 March 1996. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  58. ↑ "African Nations Cup 1996 - Final Tournament Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 March 2021.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lucas_Radebe&oldid=1385563848"