By Michael Madyira
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has admitted to the threat posed by on-song Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa ahead of the two teams’ meeting on Sunday.
The Buccaneers are in Cape Town to face Stellenbosch in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg at Athlone Stadium.
They are up against a team that edged them 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League match in early August.
But making Pirates dangerous is in-form striker Lepasa, who has scored four goals in the Buccaneers’ last four games across all competitions.
Barker is aware of the danger they could face in the Bafana Bafana man and admits he is a player they will have to pay special attention to.
“Zakes has always been a hard-working, really talented footballer who takes his craft seriously even if he was here,” Barker told the media.
“He’s definitely someone that we have to keep a lid on, I’m glad for him. We have to keep him quiet and [Monnapule] Saleng and [Patrick] Maswanganyi among others.”
“We know he’s dangerous in and around the box, a really good finisher, and he’s playing with confidence also.”
Lepasa is back in form following a long injury lay-off two seasons ago which left him contemplating quitting football.
But he has picked himself up to become a key player for both Pirates and Bafana.
“That long injury that set him back, he overcame that, criticism from fans, and still performed the way he has. Credit must go to him,” said Barker.
The 26-year-old has scored nine goals in six games in all competitions this season.
Barker’s Stellenbosch are in the hunt for the first piece of silverware in top-flight league football.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa and Mmonapule Saleng
Image source: Orlando Pirates
