Orlando Pirates will have to dig deep to solve their scoring problems, as statistics reveal that they can't afford to lose striker Zakhele Lepasa, who was withdrawn from the latest Bafana Bafana squad with a knee injury.
Lepasa was introduced late in the game in a goalless draw against Eswatini on Friday but had to be pulled out from the squad before they could travel to Ivory Coast, with a "left knee overuse injury, which could have been exacerbated by the recent games and trainings", according to Bafana team doctor Thabo Maleka.
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Should Lepasa be ruled out for Pirates for a particular period of time, it could be a big blow for them considering their goalscoring woes recently.
Despite winning the MTN8 Cup on penalties after a goalless draw against Mamelodi Sundowns following extra-time, the Buccaneers have only scored one goal in their last five games in all competitions.
The 26-year-old has been the go-to guy for goals for the Soweto giants this season, as he has scored 10 out of their 19 goals in all competitions this season.
That means Lepasa has accounted for 48% of the Buccaneers' goals this season and losing him to injury would be a big blow, especially for their ambitions to climb up the Premiership standings.
Jose Riveiro's charges are currently lying in an unfamiliar 14th place on the table, although they have three games in hand and their biggest concern is scoring goals.
The Siya crew previously reported that the Buccaneers' lack of goals is an area the management are monitoring closely, with the possibility of recalling Tshegofatso Mabasa from his loan spell at Moroka Swallows before the end of June next year believed to be one of their options.
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Depending on the severity of Lepasa's injury, talks with Swallows over cutting Mabasa's loan deal shorter than expected could gather momentum.
The Buccaneers will be back in action on Friday evening when they host Cape Town Spurs at Orlando Stadium in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 clash.
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