RADEBE-EMERGENCY KEEPER

We all like an outfield player, especially one who steps up to become an emergency goalkeeper, when needed!!! On this day in 1996, Lucas Radebe, playing for Leeds United, had a heck of job on his hands, when he had to become the emergency keeper at Old Trafford!! Radebe returned to the goalkeeper position, replacing John Lukic in the position after the regular keeper suffered an injury in the second half of a defeat to Middlesbrough.

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. 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. The South African, outfielder, kept the ball out of the net for almost an hour, BUT then up stepped Roy Keane who scored a vital late goal. After the match, Sir Alex suggested that teams like Leeds tried harder against United, getting a slight reaction from title chasing boss....Kevin Keegan!!

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 keeper, and then switched positions to central midfield and then finally to central defence.

In 1994, Radebe and another South African player, Philemon "Chippa" Masinga, moved to Leeds United for a transfer fee of £250,000. Radebe was only included in the deal to keep Masinga happy; as it turned out, but he became the more valuable investment. Initially, the move was not a success; Radebe did not agree with the then Leeds' manager, Howard Wilkinson and suffered injuries which prevented him for earning a regular first team place.

Following the end of apartheid, Radebe made his debut for his national team in their first international match, on 7 July 1992 against Cameroon. Having recently recovered from a long-term knee injury, he was a member of the South African team that won the 1996 African National Cup.

Radebe was also the captain of the South African national football team during both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2002 World Cup too. 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.