Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa is gunning for an Olympic berth, following an extended run in the Soweto Giants’ starting line-up.
The 23-year-old has stepped up as the main man in the Buccaneers’ front line after injuries to Gabadinho Mhango and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Olympics postponement grants golden opportunity to Orlando Pirates star
He was part of David Notoane’s under-23 squad which travelled to the Middle East for friendlies against Saudi Arabia during the ongoing Fifa international break.
The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, which will now be held in 2021, has been somewhat of a blessing for Lepasa.
“One can also say that he is also truly grateful of the fact that the Olympics Games were postponed for next year‚” Lepasa said, as quoted by The Sowetan. “This has granted players such as myself the opportunity to raise their hands and say that they want to be part of the final Olympic squad that is to represent South Africa in this major world sporting event.”For me‚ it is not about just going to the Olympics for the sake of just being there. It is about performing and giving your best for your country at all times. “And that’s because‚ when you do that‚ against the best of the best in the world‚ the world notices you. The right people take full notice of you‚ too. That is how you open bigger doors for yourself.”
Zakhele Lepasa
The ongoing Premier Soccer League (PSL) season has been a fruitful one for Lepasa, as he has equalled the tally he managed in the whole of the previous campaign.
He has also inked his name on the scoresheet in the most watched of fixtures in the South African football calendar, the Soweto Derby where he found the opener in a 3-0 drubbing of Kaizer Chiefs.
Lepasa will be competing for a spot in Pirates’ first XI on Saturday, 21 November when the square up against Supersport United.
