Orlando Pirates make Zakhele Lepasa decision amid interest

Orlando Pirates have reportedly made a decision on the future of their striker Zakhele Lepasa, who is currently on loan at SuperSport United. 

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Lepasa has scored two goals for SuperSport since joining from Pirates in January, with his future from next season onwards in question. 

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SuperSport have reportedly not made their interest in Lepasa a secret, even indicating to Pirates that they would like to have the striker on board on a permanent deal, while negotiating loan terms. In fact, Matsantsantsa a Pitori CEO Stan Matthews also confirmed that they would have not approached the Buccaneers for the forward’s services if they didn’t believe he fits the long-term portfolio of the club. 

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It was also recently reported by Soccer-Laduma earlier in the week that, SuperSport had already engage Pirates on the possibility of signing Lepasa on a permanent deal at the end of the current campaign. It is believed that the Sea Robbers were open to negotiating a deal at that particular point in time, but reports towards the end of the week from the same publication are now pointing at a sudden change of heart from the Soweto giants. 

Pirates change of heart on Lepasa?

“While it remains unclear wether talks would be about a season long loan or a permanent move, indications from sources are that the Bucs might not be interested in any discussions for the 26-year-old after all, this following the progress he has made in the last few weeks”. Wrote the publication. 

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Lepasa scored one of the goals that secured Bafana Bafana’s passage to the AFCON tournament for next year, making it two in two in his national team career. With Pirates having an embarrassment of riches upfront, game time will undoubtedly influence the players decision, as he knows he will need to be playing regularly to see Hugo Broos maintain the confidence he has shown in him, heading into that showpiece event.