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by Zakhele Lepasa, who was withdrawn from the latest Bafana Bafana squad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.
