Jonty Mark

By Jonty Mark

Football Editor


Broos isn’t worried by Lepasa’s Pirates blip

'Every striker has a moment of not scoring, it can happen,' said the Bafana head coach.


Hugo Broos is not concerned at all by Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa’s recent loss of form.

Broos selected Lepasa on Thursday in his 23-man Bafana squad for friendlies against Swaziland and the Ivory Coast later this month.

The Bafana head coach has long been a supporter of Lepasa’s talents, giving him a chance in the Bafana squad even when he was not getting regular game time in a loan spell at SuperSport United last season.

Lepasa got off to a flyer this season with the Buccaneers and already has ten goals in all competitions. He has not scored for Pirates, however, in his last three appearances across three competitions.

“Every striker has a moment of not scoring, it can happen,” said Broos.

“Sometimes it is from him, sometimes an opponent knows they have to watch him closely and so they play differently. And there is also your team. You score because your team gives you opportuntities. It is a bit of a mix.

Bafana goal-getter

Lepasa has certainly produced for Broos, netting in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia and Morocco.

“Lepasa has shown us he is a player who scores easily. Because he goes a few games and doesn’t score we don’t have to be worried, and not call him.”

Bafana will play Swaziland on October 13 at Orlando Stadium and the Ivory Coast four days later away from home.