BBC SPORT | Football | Africa | Radebe eyes brighter future

Former Leeds United skipper Lucas Radebe is looking forward to the English Premiership season under new manager Terry Venables.

Far from being concerned about his future with his English club, Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe is looking forward to meeting the new boss when he returns to Elland Road next week.

"Terry has a great reputation as a coach and I'm looking forward to meeting him and the rest of the squad for our first training session next week," Radebe said.

I'm yearning for more time in the Bafana shirt

Lucas Radebe

"After my frustrations of last season I'm really looking forward to a good campaign this time round."

The 33-year old defender, who was sidelined for 15 months due to a series of knee injuries, regained his fitness towards the end of the last English season.

Having come through the World Cup unscathed and turning in some solid performances in the heart of the South African defence has provided the perfect tonic for Radebe.

"My knees are feeling fine and I'm feeling very strong. I still have two years left on my contract with Leeds and I'm confident of seeing that through," he said.

Radebe also revealed that he wants to continue his international career until the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"I'm yearning for more time in the Bafana shirt," he said.

Terry Venables signs as Leeds Manager
Radebe says Venables has a great reputation
The defender said he wanted to add to his record 69 caps for Bafana Bafana as long as he was not "overplayed" by his country.

In the past he complained about the effect the frequent 12 hour plane journeys from England to South Africa had on his knees.

Bafana Bafana have a relatively light competitive schedule over the next 18 months and Radebe may only be required to play in four African Cup of Nations qualifiers until the end of 2003.

Following his long battle against injury Radebe was expected to retire after the World Cup finals but his performances in Korea have obviously convinced him that he still has a few years left at the top level.


	Links to more Africa stories