Lucas Radebe
Encyclopedia
Lucas Valeriu Radebe is a former Leeds United and South Africa
n football
player. During his career, Radebe was renowned for being a world-class centre back and a great ambassador for the sport.
He began playing in South Africa with Kaizer Chiefs, following this he moved to Premiership side Leeds United and over the course of several years firmly established himself as a club legend, retiring after having played over 200 matches for the Yorkshire side. During his spells at the aforementioned clubs, he picked up the nicknames "Rhoo" and "The Chief" respectively, the latter of which was given to him by former Leeds manager Davin O'Leary.
Recognised as South Africa's first international soccer star, he captained not only Leeds United but South Africa
, most notably at World Cup 2002 where he scored his only World Cup goal. Nelson Mandela
famously said of Radebe; "This is my hero."
, near Johannesburg
, as one of eleven children. When he was 15 years old he was sent to the "bantustan
" of Bophuthatswana
by his parents in order to keep him away from the violence that was affecting Soweto during the apartheid era.
In order to keep himself busy during his stay in Bophuthatswana, Radebe played football as a goalkeeper.
. In 1991 he was shot whilst driving, though luckily he was not critically wounded. The motive for the shooting never became clear, but Radebe himself believes that someone had been hired to shoot him in order to prevent him from moving to another club.
Partially motivated by the shooting incident and at the request of his FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman, Lucas and another South African player, Philemon "Chippa" Masinga
, moved to Leeds United in 1994 after a meeting between then Manager of Leeds Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Houseman; Radebe was sold by the Kaizer Chiefs for £250,000.
After a slow start to his Leeds career, Radebe flourished under the management of George Graham, by the time David O'Leary took charge in 1998, chants of "Rhoo" and cheers at the mention of "The Chief's" name became commonplace at Elland Road, as he developed a touching relationship with the fans. In recognition of his leadership and ability, Radebe was appointed captain of the team for the 1998/99 season.
As captain of Leeds, Radebe was very successful: in the 1998/1999 season, Leeds 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 Champions League
, reaching the semi-finals. However, in 2000, Radebe sustained knee
and ankle
injuries, which kept him out of the game for almost two years. During his time at Leeds Lucas turned down the chance to move to both and A.C. Milan
feeling too strong an emotional bond to Leeds and their fans. Radebe had also attracted interest from Fabio Capello
at Roma
and Alex Ferguson
commented at the time "Everyone should be interested in Lucas". Radebe scored three goals during his spell at Leeds, but none in the league. He first came against Oxford United in the 1997/98 FA Cup, and he then scored twice in Leeds' 1999/2000 UEFA Cup campaign against Partizan Belgrade and Spartak Moscow.
involving players from all around the world, and Leeds United players past and present. He has been offered a role on the Leeds United coaching staff as a result.
He is still a crowd favourite at Elland Road
and fans can be heard frequently singing his name even after his retirement showing how much he endeared himself to them during his playing career. In 2008, a local Leeds Brewery asked for suggestions on a new Beer name and the most popular suggestion was 'Radebeer', showing the Leeds fans' fond admiration of Lucas.
Lucas held a testimonial at Elland Road
on May 2, 2005 attended by a crowd of over 37,886. The Final Score was Leeds United XI 3-7 International XI. Numerous International Stars and Leeds United Legends turned out for the game showing how well regarded Lucas is throughout the world of football. The players included Gary McAllister
, Vinnie Jones
, Jay-Jay Okocha
, Mario Melchiot
, John Carew
, Bruce Grobbelaar
, Olivier Dacourt, Nigel Martyn
, Gunnar Halle
, Neil Sullivan
, David Batty
, Gary Speed
, Gordon Strachan
, Gary Kelly, Clyde Wijnhard
, Phil Masinga, David Wetherall
, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
, Tony Yeboah
, Paul Robinson
, Chris Kamara
, Matthew Kilgallon
, Aaron Lennon
and Eirik Bakke
. Lucas 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 match finished South African Invitation XI 3-2 Lucas Radebe All Stars. The proceeds from both of these matches were combined with other money raised and donated to charity as part of Lucas's big donation to charity in his final year as a player.
On 28 August 2006, Lucas 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 even though he was promised. 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
prepare to host the next World Cup in 2010.
It is also known that Lucas is friendly with former South African President Nelson Mandela
. On a visit to Leeds, Mandela told dignitaries "This is my hero".
On 8 October 2009, The English Football Association announced Radebe as an ambassador to help boost the 2018 World Cup bid.
During the FIFA 2010 World Cup, Radebe was a pundit for ITV's match coverage and also a columnist for the Daily Telegraph.
A biography, Lucas: From the Streets of Soweto to Soccer Superstar by Richard Coomber will be published in England on 25 September and in South Africa in November. Radebe is also to give a ground breaking interview for Leeds Uniteds biggest selling unofficial publication; The Square Ball. He is also set to attend Leeds' home game against Sheffield United at Elland Road where he will be unveiled at Half time, as well as signing copies of his book at the club store. Radebe also appeared on football show Soccer AM
as a special guest
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 says both jobs are the only coaching jobs that he would consider.
Radebe has recently revealed that he would like to take up a coaching role and is on trial to come back out of retirement as a player/coach at Kaiser Chiefs with a look to return to Leeds United as an assistant manager or first team coach, but would only like two further years as a player.
in 1992 and he made his international debut on 7 July 1992 against Cameroon
. At this time he was developing a reputation as one of the country's brightest young stars, his blossoming career reflected a positive feeling with all those involved in the national team.
In 1996, he was a member of the South African team that won the African Nations Cup. This triumph, coupled with the country's earlier victory in the Rugby World Cup helped to establish the country as a real force in the world of sport. Nelson Mandela proudly presented "Bafana Bafana" with the trophy.
Radebe was also the captain of the South African national football team during both the 1998 FIFA World Cup
and 2002 FIFA World Cup
's. South Africa failed to reach the knockout stages both times, however Radebe did get on the score sheet in 2002.
He earned 70 caps for South Africa and scored 2 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, after having missed out in 2006, which was staged in Germany. He could also be seen working as a pundit for South African television, and during ITV's coverage of the tournament.
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
.
in 2004.
The current popular band the Kaiser Chiefs
are said to have taken their name from Lucas' old club as he had such an influence on them as young men, with all the members being Leeds fans.
He is friends with golf great Tiger Woods
and has played frequently in his Gary Player Invitational charity golf tournament to help raise funds for various children's causes.
His wife Feziwe died of cancer in October 2008.
In December 2008, Radebe was treated for a heart complaint after collapsing while at the gym.
A suite at Elland Road is named the Radebe Entrance.
Leeds United named their Mascot after Radebe, calling the mascot 'Lucas The Kop Cat'.
In April 2010 he won the PFA Merit Award. He is quoted as saying, when presented with the award, "Football has played such a big part in lifting my community. I'm very proud to get such a great award."
In September 2010 Lucas was in Leeds to sign copies of his first biography titled 'LUCAS FROM THE STREETS OF SOWETO TO SOCCER HERO'. Lucas drew a massive crowd to the signing which took place in he Leeds club superstore on the day Leeds played host to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. At half time Lucas took to the pitch in front of the 33,500 rapturous crowd.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. During his career, Radebe was renowned for being a world-class centre back and a great ambassador for the sport.
He began playing in South Africa with Kaizer Chiefs, following this he moved to Premiership side Leeds United and over the course of several years firmly established himself as a club legend, retiring after having played over 200 matches for the Yorkshire side. During his spells at the aforementioned clubs, he picked up the nicknames "Rhoo" and "The Chief" respectively, the latter of which was given to him by former Leeds manager Davin O'Leary.
Recognised as South Africa's first international soccer star, he captained not only Leeds United but South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, most notably at World Cup 2002 where he scored his only World Cup goal. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
famously said of Radebe; "This is my hero."
Early career
Radebe was born in the Diepkloof section of SowetoSoweto
Soweto is a lower-class-populated urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships...
, near Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, as one of eleven children. When he was 15 years old he was sent to the "bantustan
Bantustan
A bantustan was a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South West Africa , as part of the policy of apartheid...
" of Bophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana , officially the Republic of Bophuthatswana was a Bantustan – an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity – and nominal parliamentary democracy in the northwestern region of South Africa...
by his parents in order to keep him away from the violence that was affecting Soweto during the apartheid era.
In order to keep himself busy during his stay in Bophuthatswana, Radebe played football as a goalkeeper.
Club career
Radebe was spotted and signed by Kaizer Chiefs as a midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. In 1991 he was shot whilst driving, though luckily he was not critically wounded. The motive for the shooting never became clear, but Radebe himself believes that someone had been hired to shoot him in order to prevent him from moving to another club.
Partially motivated by the shooting incident and at the request of his FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman, Lucas and another South African player, Philemon "Chippa" Masinga
Philemon Masinga
Philemon "Phil" Raoul Masinga is a South African former international footballer. He represented South Africa in 58 international games, scoring 18 goals....
, moved to Leeds United in 1994 after a meeting between then Manager of Leeds Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Houseman; Radebe was sold by the Kaizer Chiefs for £250,000.
After a slow start to his Leeds career, Radebe flourished under the management of George Graham, by the time David O'Leary took charge in 1998, chants of "Rhoo" and cheers at the mention of "The Chief's" name became commonplace at Elland Road, as he developed a touching relationship with the fans. In recognition of his leadership and ability, Radebe was appointed captain of the team for the 1998/99 season.
As captain of Leeds, Radebe was very successful: in the 1998/1999 season, Leeds finished fourth in the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
qualifying for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. During the 1999/2000 season, Leeds finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, reaching the semi-finals. However, in 2000, Radebe sustained knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
and ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
injuries, which kept him out of the game for almost two years. During his time at Leeds Lucas turned down the chance to move to both and A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
feeling too strong an emotional bond to Leeds and their fans. Radebe had also attracted interest from Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
at Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
and Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
commented at the time "Everyone should be interested in Lucas". Radebe scored three goals during his spell at Leeds, but none in the league. He first came against Oxford United in the 1997/98 FA Cup, and he then scored twice in Leeds' 1999/2000 UEFA Cup campaign against Partizan Belgrade and Spartak Moscow.
Retirement
At the end of the 2005 season, Radebe retired from professional football in a star-studded testimonial match at Elland RoadElland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
involving players from all around the world, and Leeds United players past and present. He has been offered a role on the Leeds United coaching staff as a result.
He is still a crowd favourite at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
and fans can be heard frequently singing his name even after his retirement showing how much he endeared himself to them during his playing career. In 2008, a local Leeds Brewery asked for suggestions on a new Beer name and the most popular suggestion was 'Radebeer', showing the Leeds fans' fond admiration of Lucas.
Lucas held a testimonial at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
on May 2, 2005 attended by a crowd of over 37,886. The Final Score was Leeds United XI 3-7 International XI. Numerous International Stars and Leeds United Legends turned out for the game showing how well regarded Lucas is throughout the world of football. The players included Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...
, Vinnie Jones
Vinnie Jones
Vincent Peter "Vinnie" Jones is an English film actor and retired Welsh footballer.Born in Hertfordshire, England, Jones represented and captained the Welsh national football team, having qualified via a Welsh grandparent. He also previously played for Chelsea and Leeds United. As a member of the...
, Jay-Jay Okocha
Jay-Jay Okocha
Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Okocha is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his stepovers, skill, technique, and being 'so good that they named him twice'...
, Mario Melchiot
Mario Melchiot
Mario Deno Patrik Melchiot is a Dutch football defender who currently plays for Qatari Stars League club Umm Salal. He can play as either a right-back or a central defender, and has also occasionally played in midfield....
, John Carew
John Carew
John Alieu Carew , is a Norwegian professional association football player who plays for West Ham United and the Norwegian national team. His father is Gambian and his mother is Norwegian; he was born and raised in Norway.-Vålerenga:John Alieu Carew began his career with his local club Lørenskog,...
, Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar...
, Olivier Dacourt, Nigel Martyn
Nigel Martyn
Antony Nigel Martyn , more commonly known as Nigel Martyn, is a retired English football goalkeeper. He played for Crystal Palace where he became the first £1million goalkeeper in British football and also won the Full Members Cup. Martyn then left to spend six seasons at Leeds United. He went on...
, Gunnar Halle
Gunnar Halle
Gunnar Halle is a Norwegian football manager and former player. A right back, he played for many years professionally in England and for the Norwegian national team...
, Neil Sullivan
Neil Sullivan
Neil Sullivan is an English-born Scottish ex-international professional Association footballer. A goalkeeper, Sullivan currently plays for Doncaster Rovers after signing on a permanent basis from Leeds United at the end of the 2006–07 season, following two loan moves to Doncaster...
, David Batty
David Batty
David Batty is an English retired professional footballer, who played as a defensive midfielder....
, Gary Speed
Gary Speed
Gary Andrew Speed, MBE was a Welsh football player and manager. He was captain of the Wales national football team until he retired from international football in 2004 and he remains the most capped outfield player for Wales and the second overall, having appeared 85 times at senior level between...
, Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
, Gary Kelly, Clyde Wijnhard
Clyde Wijnhard
Clyde Wijnhard is a former Dutch professional football player.In a career spanning over ten years, Wijnhard played for Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic, RKC Waalwijk, Willem II, S.C...
, Phil Masinga, David Wetherall
David Wetherall
David Wetherall is an English former footballer who played as a central defender, finishing his playing career with Bradford City at the end of the 2007–08 season. Born in Sheffield, he supported Sheffield Wednesday as a child, and started his playing career there...
, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jerrel Hasselbaink usually known as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a Dutch former football striker who played for various clubs in the Netherlands, Portugal, England, and Spain, as well as the Dutch national team. He scored more than 200 career goals...
, Tony Yeboah
Tony Yeboah
Anthony "Tony" Yeboah is a Ghanaian former footballer most noted for his time at European clubs 1. FC Saarbrücken, Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds United and Hamburger SV during the 1990s...
, Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (goalkeeper)
Paul William Robinson is an English footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers as a goalkeeper in the Premier League. He had also been an England international and he earned 41 caps between 2003 and 2007 before his retirement from international football in August 2010.He joined Leeds United at 16...
, Chris Kamara
Chris Kamara
Chris Kamara is a retired English footballer. He ended his playing career in 1995 and last managed a club in 1998. He is now a presenter and football analyst on Sky Sports.-Playing career:...
, Matthew Kilgallon
Matthew Kilgallon
Matthew Shaun Kilgallon is an English professional footballer currently playing for Sunderland. He is a central defender who can also operate at left back.-Leeds United:...
, Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon
Aaron Justin Lennon is an English footballer who plays as a right winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team.-Early life:...
and Eirik Bakke
Eirik Bakke
Eirik Bakke is a Norwegian football player. He plays on the right-hand side or centre of midfield. He currently plays for Sogndal.-Sogndal :Bakke played 99 matches for Sogndal...
. Lucas also held a retirement match in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
between a South African Invitation XI and Lucas Radebe All Stars at Kings Park Soccer Stadium
King Senzangakhona Stadium
The Moses Mabhida Stadium is a stadium in Durban, South Africa, named after Moses Mabhida, a former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party. It is a multi-use stadium....
The match finished South African Invitation XI 3-2 Lucas Radebe All Stars. The proceeds from both of these matches were combined with other money raised and donated to charity as part of Lucas's big donation to charity in his final year as a player.
On 28 August 2006, Lucas announced that he was going back to Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
after failing to secure a job with the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
hosts to be involved in the set-up of Bafana Bafana even though he was promised. 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
South African Football Association
The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four...
prepare to host the next World Cup in 2010.
It is also known that Lucas is friendly with former South African President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
. On a visit to Leeds, Mandela told dignitaries "This is my hero".
On 8 October 2009, The English Football Association announced Radebe as an ambassador to help boost the 2018 World Cup bid.
During the FIFA 2010 World Cup, Radebe was a pundit for ITV's match coverage and also a columnist for the Daily Telegraph.
A biography, Lucas: From the Streets of Soweto to Soccer Superstar by Richard Coomber will be published in England on 25 September and in South Africa in November. Radebe is also to give a ground breaking interview for Leeds Uniteds biggest selling unofficial publication; The Square Ball. He is also set to attend Leeds' home game against Sheffield United at Elland Road where he will be unveiled at Half time, as well as signing copies of his book at the club store. Radebe also appeared on football show Soccer AM
Soccer AM
Soccer AM is a British Saturday-morning football-based comedy/talk show, predominantly based around the Premier League...
as a special guest
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 says both jobs are the only coaching jobs that he would consider.
Radebe has recently revealed that he would like to take up a coaching role and is on trial to come back out of retirement as a player/coach at Kaiser Chiefs with a look to return to Leeds United as an assistant manager or first team coach, but would only like two further years as a player.
International career
Radebe was first included in the South African national teamSouth Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
in 1992 and he made his international debut on 7 July 1992 against Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. At this time he was developing a reputation as one of the country's brightest young stars, his blossoming career reflected a positive feeling with all those involved in the national team.
In 1996, he was a member of the South African team that won the African Nations Cup. This triumph, coupled with the country's earlier victory in the Rugby World Cup helped to establish the country as a real force in the world of sport. Nelson Mandela proudly presented "Bafana Bafana" with the trophy.
Radebe was also the captain of the South African national football team during both the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
's. South Africa failed to reach the knockout stages both times, however Radebe did get on the score sheet in 2002.
He earned 70 caps for South Africa and scored 2 goals during his international career with his last match being against England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 22 May 2003.
After retiring, Radebe was influential in South Africa's successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup, after having missed out in 2006, which was staged in Germany. He could also be seen working as a pundit for South African television, and during ITV's coverage of the tournament.
International Goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 December 1997 | Riyadh Riyadh Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a... , Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World... |
1-0 | 3-4 | FIFA Confederations Cup FIFA Confederations Cup The FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships , along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, to bring the number of teams... |
|
| 2 | 12 June 2002 | Daejeon Daejeon Daejeon is South Korea's fifth largest metropolis and the provincial capital of Chungnam. Located in the center of the country, Daejeon had a population of over 1.5 million in 2010. It is at the crossroads of Gyeongbu railway, Honam railway, Gyeongbu Expressway, and Honam Expressway. Within the... , South Korea South Korea The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south... |
2-2 | 2-3 | FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body... |
Charitable work
Radebe has been an ambassador of FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
for SOS Children's Villages
SOS Children's Villages
SOS Children's Villages is an independent, non-governmental international development organisation which has been working to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children since 1949. It was founded by Hermann Gmeiner in Imst, Austria...
; he also received the FIFA Fair Play Award
FIFA Fair Play Award
The FIFA Fair Play Award is a FIFA recognition of good or sporting behaviour or other actions by people or bodies involved in :association football around the world. First awarded in 1987, it has been presented to individuals , teams, fans, spectators, football associations/federations and even...
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
Premier League 10 Seasons Awards
The Premier League 10 Seasons Awards were a set of English football awards which marked the first 10 years of competition in the Premier League, the top-level domestic league competition of professional football in England...
.
Miscellaneous
He was voted 54th in the Top 100 Great South AfricansSABC3's Great South Africans
Great South Africans was a South African television series that aired on SABC3 and hosted by Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu and Denis Beckett. In September 2004, thousands of South Africans took part in an informal nationwide poll to determine the "100 Greatest South Africans" of all time...
in 2004.
The current popular band the Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who formed in 1996. They were named after the South African football club Kaizer Chiefs....
are said to have taken their name from Lucas' old club as he had such an influence on them as young men, with all the members being Leeds fans.
He is friends with golf great Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
and has played frequently in his Gary Player Invitational charity golf tournament to help raise funds for various children's causes.
His wife Feziwe died of cancer in October 2008.
In December 2008, Radebe was treated for a heart complaint after collapsing while at the gym.
A suite at Elland Road is named the Radebe Entrance.
Leeds United named their Mascot after Radebe, calling the mascot 'Lucas The Kop Cat'.
In April 2010 he won the PFA Merit Award. He is quoted as saying, when presented with the award, "Football has played such a big part in lifting my community. I'm very proud to get such a great award."
In September 2010 Lucas was in Leeds to sign copies of his first biography titled 'LUCAS FROM THE STREETS OF SOWETO TO SOCCER HERO'. Lucas drew a massive crowd to the signing which took place in he Leeds club superstore on the day Leeds played host to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. At half time Lucas took to the pitch in front of the 33,500 rapturous crowd.
Further reading
- Graeme FriedmanGraeme FriedmanGraeme Friedman is a clinical psychologist and an award-winning writer whose short stories have appeared in anthologies published internationally . His latest book is The Fossil Artist , a novel about crime, authenticity, what it means to be human and how we come to love, has been has been...
"Madiba's Boys The Stories of Lucas Radebe and Mark FishMark FishMark Anthony Fish is a retired South African footballer.-Club career:Fish started his career in his native South Africa under the guidance of renowned coach Steve Coetsee, playing for Arcadia Shepherds, an amateur team based at the Caledonian Stadium in Pretoria...
" Comerford & Miller, United Kingdom ISBN 1 919 888 08 Features a foreword by Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...