As he recovers from injury, Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa faces tough competition from other strikers, including Tshegofatso Mabasa, Evidence Makgopa, and Boitumelo Radiopane who has returned from his two-year loan at Cape Town Spurs.
Now, Siya sources have indicated that Lepasa has been told to fight for his place at the club amidst interest from Sekhukhune United and SuperSport United.
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Insiders close to the club have added that the technical team has sat down with Lepasa and assured him of his future at the club but have advised him to fight for a place in the team as competition is tough.
"If it was for the player himself, he could have liked to leave and go to a team where he will play regularly but the club wants to keep him. They only have four outright strikers. It's him, Tshegofatso (Mabasa), Evidence (Makgopa) and Boitumelo (Radiopane). So since they are playing in almost all the competitions this season they need all these strikers and that's why they have told him to fight for his place. They could have easily loaned him out but the technical team told management that they will use him along the way in the season so he has to fight for his place like all the other strikers, as well as other players," the Siya source stated.
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Meanwhile, a second source stated that it's true there were teams interested in him during the transfer window period, but nothing came of it.
"It's true there were teams that inquired about him for a loan move but since he is still contracted to Pirates they are the ones who could make that decision. It didn't happen because they want him to stay with the team and fight for a place, not just in the team but in the starting eleven as well. That's his situation now. Yes, he is recovered from the injury and now it's about fighting for that place in the team and prove his worth," the second source stated.
Lepasa's future at Pirates is secure, but he faces stiff competition for a place in the team. The club has advised him to fight for his spot amidst interest from other teams, and his recovery from injury will be crucial in proving his worth.
