Bucs legend Lucky Lekgwathi. Image: iDiski Times
Orlando Pirates legend happy with the South African Haaland
Zakhele Lepasa’s goal-scoring form would make Erling Haaland proud. It hasn’t gone unnoticed by Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi.
Bucs legend Lucky Lekgwathi. Image: iDiski Times
Ex-Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates defender Lucky Lekgwathi is happy with Zakhele Lepasa, aka the South African Haaland. The former Bucs skipper believes Lepasa’s improvements are down to his key role for the national side.
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Lucky Lekgwathi is loving Lepasa
Lekgwathi didn’t actually call him the South African Haaland, some other guy did, and he’s not wrong. The in-form Pirates striker Lepasa bagged his 10th goal of the season in Sunday’s MTN8 semi-final first leg against Stellenbosch. In so doing, he became the first PSL player to hit double figures across all competitions this season.
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Orlando Pirates legend lavishes praise on in-form Bucs marksman
Speaking to SABC Sport, Lekgwathi says, from his own experience, representing one’s country grows a player’s belief in their capabilities.
“Going to Bafana Bafana, that’s why his game has improved so much because for you to play for the national team, it means there’s something special with you,” said Lekgwathi.
“It happened with me when I was still with Ria Stars, I got a [Bafana] call-up, but I didn’t play. When I joined Pirates, they called me and I became a regular.
PARALLELS: The South African Haaland?
“So, it shows there’s something, even if other people can’t see, the coach of Bafana can see, so I think going to SuperSport [United] and playing for Bafana helped him.
“It was a learning curve for him, going to SuperSport and coming back to Pirates, because there’s no way you can compare the two [clubs] – Pirates is a big team, there are things that Pirates have that SuperSport don’t have.
“So, for me, I think it was a learning curve for the boy, to say, ‘You know what, I go back, I must work as hard.’ You can see he’s working extra hard – scoring goals is not easy, especially now in South Africa, we have good defenders.
“So I’m so impressed with him, and his work rate is so amazing, he must just continue to work hard.”
ICYMI: Time for Pirates to sell a red-hot superstar?
Pirates face Sundowns on September 20th as the DStv Premiership resumes after the international break. Before that, they’ve got a crunch CAF Champions League qualifying preliminary round clash with Botswanan side Jwaneng Galaxy.
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of football.
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