The South African u23 national team coach, David Notoane has explained Zakhele Lepasa's inclusion in his COSAFA Cup squad.
Lepasa lifted the 2019 Nedbank Cup trophy with TS Galaxy at the weekend after his penalty kick sealed a 1-0 win for his side against Kaizer Chiefs.
Read more: 6 New Faces In AFCON Squad
With the 2018/19 domestic campaign having come to a close, Lepasa will be returning to his parent club, Orlando Pirates following his loan stint in the National First Division.
However, the player won't be going on holiday as yet, after he was recently named in Notoane's COSAFA Cup squad to represent the country in Durban next month.
"When we announced our last squad, I mentioned that we went through the talent pipe line at the base and there is a lot of players within the age group that we are working in and that we would have loved to have but we had to leave out for reasons," Notoane explained to the media yesterday.
"Lepasa was part of our camp in preparation for Angola, we would have loved to had him going to Angola, unfortunately TS Galaxy was playing Nedbank.
"He did very well in our camp and we were happy with the talent he showed.
"We are very excited that he is showing signs that he is an emerging, serious talent, so yes his performance in the Nedbank has warranted this. Still a long way to go for him but we are excited…" he added.
