CAPE TOWN; South Africa —
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE legendary outfit Leeds United’s move of recently appointing retired South African centre-back Lucas Radebe as the club’s Global Ambassodor, could herald a new era for the club and world football.
Not least to mention that Radebe has stamped his mark on the anals of footballs’ history with an illustrious professional career, spanning more than 15 in South Africa and Europe.
The man named, RHOO, in South Africa, spent five years at Kaizer Chiefs before making a move to England to join Leeds United in 1994.
Radebe’s accomplishments on the global football arena were nothing short of spectecular.
So glorious was his career at Leeds that at some stage Radebe turned down offers to move to prestigious and some of the world’s most loved football brands, Manchester United, AC Milan and Roma.
United’s manager at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson commented: “Everyone should be interested in Lucas.”
Many were shocked at this decision by Radebe, to turn down opportunities which in all possibilities could have taken his career to more greater heights and even surpass the very best to ever played the game including the likes Italian Paolo Maldini and Germans Franz Beckenbauer, to name a few.
But ‘The Chief’ as he is affectionately known in England, proved to be a smart man off the field as well.
Needless to say, Radebe’s decision to stay with Leeds United has proved to be very fruitful for the South Africa star.
And in 2008, a Leeds brewery asked for suggestions to name a new beer; the most popular suggested name Radebeer, proving how much the Leeds supporters admire Lucas Radebe.
Furthermore, 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.
Also in May 2010 Radebe won the PFA Merit Award for his contribution to football.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Radebe was a pundit for ITV’s match coverage and also a columnist for The Daily Telegraph.
Leeds have also named a suite after Radebe.
The British indie/britpop band, whose members are all Leeds United supporters, chose this name to honour Radebe because he had played for Kaizer Chiefs.
Originally a goalkeeper, Radebe first switched to central midfield and then to central defence while starting out at Kaizer Chiefs.
Leeds United signed fellow countryman Phil Masinga alongside Radebe.
In actual fact, Leeds were more interested in Masinga than on Radebe.
Radebe was only included in the deal to accompany and keep Masinga happy as the two got along very well, especially at Bafana Bafana, South African national senior mens team.
But as fate would have it, Radebe turned out to be the player Leeds would keep for the future.
At Leeds, Radebe played in the goalkeeper position a couple of occasions- first against Middlesbrough in March 1996 when goalkeeper John Lukic was injured and then in 1997 against Manchester United when goalkeeper Mark Beeney was sent off.
‘The Chief’ was appointed Leeds captain in the 1998-99 season.
As captain, he led Leeds to 4th place in the Premier League in 1998-99 before finishing 3rd in 1999-00 and reaching the UCL semi-finals in 2000-01.
Altogether, Radebe spent 11 years at Leeds.
And at international level, RHOO made 70 appearances for South Africa.
He is a member of the Class of 1996, a squad that won the AFCON in 1996.
Radebe also captained South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
‘The Chief’ has been an ambassador of FIFA for SOS Children’s Villages.
Radebe has also received the FIFA Fair Play Award in December 2000 for his contribution in ridding soccer of the demon of racism and for his work with children in South Africa.
In April 2003, for recognition of his efforts both on an off the field, ‘The Chief’ was given the Contribution to the Community Award in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards.
Nelson Mandela said of Lucas Radebe: “This is my hero.”
What to make of his recent appointment as Global Ambassodor for Leeds United!
It maybe to early to say, but looking at his trackrecord thats far in his footballing career as player and after retiring, it is fair to suggest that he is likely to lift his old club Leeds United to a higher pedestal globally and by implication, Radebe could also take ‘The Beautiful Game’ to a whole new level with milllions more following and supporting the game.
Radebe’s name has been bundied about as one of the strong candidates to take over the reigns of the South African Football Association (Safa) when the next leadership elections take place.
Southern Africa’s football body Cosafa and the continental body CAF, could benefit greatly from the services of this iconic global brand.
‘The Chief’, on being appointed the first global ambossodor commented: “Hopefully, I do embody that because, to be honest, this is one achievement where you get recognised for contributing towards the betterment of a community, not just for a football club, but the community in different households.”
Radebe, humble as usual, added: “It came as a surprise, to be appointed global ambassador, because there are greater Leeds legends than me, and some were even born in Leeds and are still at the club, but they chose me. To be able to still be part of the club is absolutely amazing.”
Image Credit: BONA MAGAZINE
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