Zakhele Lepasa appeared fifteen times for Orlando Pirates this season.
That is ten league appearances, three in the MTN8, and twice in the Carling Black Label Cup. He managed to find the back of the net just once, and produced a single assist.
Despite a good start to the season, where he showed good form, he has seen little game time lately.
With Orlando Pirates adding Cameroonian forward, Marou Souaibou on their strikers rooster, on top of the inform Monnapule Saleng, and the experienced Kermit Erasmus preferred ahead of him, game time was always going to be a challenge for the promising forward.
Why the Supersport United move is good for him.
With Gabuza seemingly out of favour and Rayners departing to Stellies, it means Lepasa should have more game time with Supersport United.
Another advantage for Lepasa is Bradley Grobler inability to be on the field for extended periods due to injuries.
That leaves Sibanyoni and Niang as his only real competition.
Gavin Hunt is a big fan of forwards of Lepasa’s quality. He is quick, he is aggressive and he has an eye for goal.
Under Hunt at Supersport United, depending on how long he will end up staying, Lepasa can only improve.
One only has to look at how the likes of Sphesihle Ndlovu and Grant Magerman have transformed into influential footballers under the no-nonsense experienced mentor.
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More game time means a better Lepasa.
Having already had a call up to Bafana Bafana, where he scored a goal against Angola and registered two assists in the 4-0 win over Sierra Leone, Lepasa’s potential is unquestionable.
Strikers, by nature, thrive on game time to be able to sharpen their goalscoring instincts.
Kicking his heels on the stands was not helping with Lepasa’s development. Although game time is not guaranteed at Supersport United, Lepasa has a better chance than he had at Pirates.
