Latest news with #ZakheleLepasa
CAF
2 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Lepasa grateful for TotalEnergies CAF CHAN lifeline
For Zakhele Lepasa, football has come full circle in a way he likely never imagined. The 27-year-old forward, recently listed as unattached after parting ways with Orlando Pirates, has been handed a lifeline in the form of a TotalEnergies CAF CHAN national team call-up. Included in coach Molefi Ntseki's 23-man squad announced by Bafana Bafana's local-based setup, Lepasa finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. 'You know what's crazy about CHAN? A lot of us players, when we play and we are regulars in our team, we tend to take CHAN and an opportunity like that for granted,' Lepasa said honestly. 'Until a situation like this comes, where you haven't played for a while, and you understand how important it is.' The former Pirates striker, who didn't travel with the Soweto giants to Spain for pre-season and whose status was publicly noted as unattached when the CHAN squad was confirmed, is using this opportunity as a chance to reignite his career and reset mentally. 'Now it is as important as going to play in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, or go play in AFCON,' he added. 'So I'm yet to think about it to be honest, but I'm definitely happy. But for me it's not just about being happy, it's about seeing myself playing again, training well and playing again, and feel like myself again. So that's one thing I'm looking forward to.' Lepasa's return to the national setup arrives during a transitional phase, not just in his club career but in South African football as a whole. His comments shine a light on the deeper value of CHAN. His candour underscores how quickly things can shift in football. Once a consistent name on the Bucs' team sheet and a scorer in key fixtures, he now finds himself in the fight to rediscover rhythm, confidence, and relevance. While Lepasa's future at club level remains uncertain, his inclusion in the CHAN squad could serve as a crucial launchpad, not just to get minutes in the tank, but to remind South Africa, and perhaps the world, of the quality he still possesses.
News24
3 days ago
- Sport
- News24
‘Hunger': There's a place former Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa vowed never to go back to
Former Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa was candid when talking about what drove him to recover from the ankle injury that kept him out of action for the whole of last season.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
I just want to see myself on the field of play again - Injury-free Lepasa says after leaving Orlando Pirates
Zakhele Lepasa of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership match against TS Galaxy at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto BAFANA Bafana striker Zakhele Lepasa has left Orlando Pirates after not playing for the whole of last season. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Zakhele Lepasa's nine-and-a-half year chapter with Orlando Pirates was closed on Friday following the striker's season-long spell on the sidelines. Lepasa was nurtured in the club's development a few years ago. As such, the club banked on him to be a capital investment someday. And so as to protect him, instead of throwing him in the deep end, they loaned him out, notably to TS Galaxy during the 2018/2019 season, to get some game-time. Lepasa shone at Galaxy, then competing in the national first division at the time, helping the team win the Nedbank Cup. That triumph in the final was sweeter for Lepasa as he scored the winning solo goal against the arch-rivals of his parent club, Kaizer Chiefs. Lepasa returned to Pirates after that season, but he failed to live up to expectations at the club, due to form and injuries. 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 @Lepasazakhele for your commitment and contribution to @OrlandoPirates Wishing you the very best in your next chapter 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞.𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 25, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The 28-year-old, who also spent six months at SuperSport United at some point, failed to make a single appearance for Pirates last season due to an injury. Consequently, the club decided to release him on Friday, ending a relationship that has spanned for close to a decade. Speaking at the premiere of Pirates' new documentary series, Giants, which Lepasa prominently features in, before he was officially released, he opened up on prospects. 'One thing that would mean a lot to me is seeing myself on the field of play, wearing a football jersey and getting the first minutes of the season,' Lepasa explained. 'I obviously didn't play for the whole of last season. Previously, I've had an injury like that (like the one that kept out last season), but that one had occurred in December, and I came back the following December. 'So, I then missed the last part and first part of the season. I never felt like I was out for the whole season. 'So, this is the first part that this has happened and it obviously brings a lot of doubt in my life and career - whether I can still try and be back and achieve what I set for myself.' Lepasa added that only playing will assert whether he still has what it takes to get back to his best and even fight for a spot in the national team. 'It (the injury) has done nothing but flawed my hunger because of the pain that I had to go through and sacrifices that I had to go through in one year,' Lepasa said. 'So to find myself (not) playing football was not easy. It was close to impossible (to endure) at some point. 'So, I won't say that I have overcome it, so having to play and be more regular is actually going to stamp that (whether I am fully back).' The South African Football Association has announced the squad that will represent the country at the CAF African Nations Championship next month. The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Friday, 25 July 2025. @SABC_Sport — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 24, 2025 Lepasa is still highly rated in football circles as Bafana Bafana A side coach Molefi Ntseki has called him up for the Chan tournament which will be hosted in Kenya and Tanzania next month. 'I am yet to think about it,' Lepasa said of his call-up. 'What's crazy about Chan is that when a lot of us are regulars in our team, we tend to take Chan for granted. 'So when an opportunity like this arises, and you haven't played for a while, then that's only when you understand how important it is. 'Now it is as important as playing for Bafana and playing in the qualifiers, or Afcon. I am yet to think about it. But I am definitely happy about it. 'It's not just about being happy, but if I can see myself playing and training well, feeling like myself again, I think that's one thing I am looking forward to.'
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Exit confirmed, more moves likely
Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the departure of long-serving striker Zakhele Lepasa, putting an end to weeks of speculation surrounding his future. The 28-year-old will now look to revive his career away from Mayfair. Lepasa featured seldom in Pirates' 2024/25 campaign and was also excluded from the club's recent pre-season tour to Spain under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Despite parting ways, Pirates recently honoured Lepasa's contribution by including him in their ongoing 'Giants' Series documentary, a nod to his role in the club's history. Lepasa isn't the only name potentially heading for the exit. Katlego Otladisa was also absent from the Spain camp, and insiders suggest more changes could be on the horizon. With the transfer window still open until 22 September, the door remains open for late movements. A trusted Siya source indicated: 'With the transfer window open until late September, don't be surprised if there's another addition or two. It will depend on outgoings and how the technical team assesses the balance of the squad coming out of pre-season.' So far, Pirates have confirmed eleven arrivals in the window, including Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, and Yanela Mbuthuma, bolstering nearly every department of the squad. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Zakhele Lepasa speaks after leaving Orlando Pirates
After seven years, Zakhele Lepasa has left Orlando Pirates after the club opted not to renew his contract. The 28-year-old Bafana Bafana forward spent most of last season injured. He failed to make a single appearance last campaign and was not part of the team that toured Spain. On Friday, the club confirmed Lepasa's departure. 'Thank you Zakhele Lepasa, for your commitment and contribution to Orlando Pirates. We wish you the very best in your next chapter. Once and always,' Orlando Pirates wrote in a social media post. On Thursday, Lepasa explained why he did not make an appearance for Pirates last season. 'I obviously did not play the entire season due to an injury, and this is the first time this has happened in my career,' the striker told the media. 'With the season about to start, one thing that would mean a lot would be seeing myself back on the field, wearing a football jersey, and being able to get the first minutes of the season. 'Doubt will be cast on my football career and my life, as I wonder if I can do what I do best and return to the national team, among other goals.' 'I have not yet seen the results of my efforts, but this period in my career has only intensified my hunger due to the pain I experienced and the sacrifices I made over the past year.' 'Therefore, it was not easy for me to return to playing football. It was close to impossible at some point. 'But for me, having to play and see myself more regularly on the field is going to bring joy to me,' Lepasa. On Thursday, the striker was included in Bafana Bafana's CHAN (African Nations Championship) squad. In the seven years with Orlando Pirates, Lepasa won six trophies and played a huge role in helping the Buccaneers win their first trophy in six years back in 2020. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
