Lepasa is on fire. Image: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Zakhele Lepasa has more PSL goals than Kaizer Chiefs

Zakhele Lepasa couldn’t get a game for Orlando Pirates not so long ago, and now he’s outscoring arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

by James Freemantle

23-08-2023 06:16

in Premier Soccer League

Lepasa is on fire. Image: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa couldn’t even get into their team last season. Now he’s thriving and scored more goals than the whole of Kaizer Chiefs in the league.

ICYMI: Kaizer Chiefs consider a big return for veteran star

LEPASA IS ON FIRE FOR ORLANDO PIRATES

Bafana Bafana striker Zakhele Lepasa is a firm favourite of national team coach Hugo Broos. He was shipped out on loan to SuperSport last term after falling down the pecking order at Pirates, but he’s making up for lost time right now. The 25-year-old has two goals in three league appearances, to go with the hat-trick he scored in their MTN8 quarter-final rout of Sekhukhune. He’s deservedly been named in the latest Bafana Bafana squad too.

MTN8: Semi-finals dates, venues and kickoff times confirmed

SOWETO: A potentially fruitful alliance between Chiefs and Pirates

Orlando Pirates fans expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix

Amakhosi battling in attack

By contrast, Chiefs find it difficult to make chances in the final third. They’ve scored just once in the league, an Ashley Du Preez equalizer in a 2-1 defeat to Sundowns, and drawn blanks against Chippa and now TS Galaxy. Lepasa has scored more DStv Premiership goals than Chiefs this season, and that’s not a good look for the Glamour Boys.

Caleb Bimenyimana has left the club, Ranga Chivaviro limped off injured in the 29th minute against Galaxy and Ashley Du Preez missed that game with flu. If new signing Efmamjjasond Gonzalez doesn’t have his work permit cleared in time, Wandile Duba would be the only available senior striker. Christian Saile, better in wide areas, could be deployed through the middle in an emergency such as this.

RUMOUR: Kaizer Chiefs to recall Khune?

ICYMI: Billiat leaves Kaizer Chiefs painfully short of a huge milestone