Orlando Pirates will have to find a way to fill the goalscoring void left by Zakhele Lepasa, who was withdrawn from the latest Bafana Bafana squad with a knee injury.
Lepasa, who has scored 10 out of the Buccaneers’ 19 goals in all competitions this season, was introduced late in the game in a goalless draw against Eswatini on Friday but had to be pulled out from the squad before they could travel to Ivory Coast.
According to Bafana team doctor Thabo Maleka, Lepasa was suffering from a “left knee overuse injury, which could have been exacerbated by the recent games and trainings”.
The 26-year-old’s absence could be a major blow for the Soweto giants, who have only scored one goal in their last five games in all competitions.
Despite winning the MTN8 Cup on penalties after a goalless draw against Mamelodi Sundowns following extra-time, Pirates are currently lying in an unfamiliar 14th place on the table, with their biggest concern being scoring goals.
The Siya crew previously reported that the Buccaneers’ lack of goals is an area the management are monitoring closely, with the possibility of recalling Tshegofatso Mabasa from his loan spell at Moroka Swallows before the end of June next year believed to be one of their options.
The Buccaneers will be back in action on Friday evening when they host Cape Town Spurs at Orlando Stadium in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 clash.
With Lepasa unavailable, Pirates will need to find a way to fill the void and get back to winning ways in order to climb up the Premiership standings.
