Mike Makaab talks about the Boitumelo Radiopane situation with Orlando Pirates! | OneFootball

The player is absent from his team's activities.

Mike Makaab talks about the Boitumelo Radiopane situation with Orlando Pirates!

Orlando Pirates striker Boitumelo Radiopane has found himself the subject of transfer speculation, but his agent has stepped in to clarify the situation, revealing that an injury—and not a planned departure—is behind the player's recent absence.

The 23-year-old began the 2025/26 season with promise, being the first-choice striker under new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. He made four appearances across all competitions, contributing one assist. However, after failing to cement his place, he gradually slipped down the pecking order. His last appearance dates back to the 16th of August in the MTN8 first-leg clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Since then, Radiopane has been conspicuously absent from the matchday squad, with players like Evidence Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Tshegofatso Mabasa being preferred in attack. This led to growing media reports suggesting a potential loan move for the forward in the next transfer window.

But his agent, Mike Makaab, has set the record straight, dismissing the rumours and explaining the real reason for the striker's hiatus.

"Boitumelo Radiopane, unfortunately, got an injury a few weeks ago. He recently completed his rehabilitation and joined the team for full training," Makaab told FARPost.

He further emphasized that the player remains part of the club's plans, especially with a long and demanding season ahead. "You need to understand that Pirates is going to have a long season with a lot of games, so it’s the injury that kept him out; no discussions are happening around his future. As I said, he suffered an injury, and he is in the plans of the team, and surely he will compete for his place in the starting line-up."

Radiopane, a former South African junior international, returned to Pirates at the start of the previous campaign after a two-season loan spell with Cape Town Spurs. During his last season with the Buccaneers, he featured in 15 matches and scored one goal. For now, it seems his immediate focus is on regaining fitness and fighting for his place in the team.