In the most recent edition of KICK OFF magazine (issue 465), ‘Rhoo’ shares his memories of his illustrious career, including his favourite manager, best match he played and best goal his scored.
On the toughest striker he faced, Radebe highlights a few players, including a former Orlando Pirates forward.
“Ackson Shimbala of Pirates was tough – that was a quality striker,” he says. “He really helped improve my defending, but I came up against different strikers.
“One week you play against Michael Owen – young, short and quick – and the next week you face Alan Shearer, who was big and mobile. Then there was Gianfranco Zola, who was very skillful, so you had to be on your toes. Ackson and Alan got the best out of me.”
And the best defender he played alongside?
“I played with many good defenders like Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil and Mark Tovey and Mark Fish,” Radebe adds.
“I will pick the young boy Jonathan Woodgate at Leeds and in South Africa it has to be Mark Tovey. Jonathan was young, willing to learn and worked very hard.
“He was learning from me and we clicked because he always wanted to do his best. He became a quality player and that’s why he went to Real Madrid.”
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Look out for the new edition of KICK OFF magazine (on shelves on Friday) for a Best of the Best with legendary Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett.