Orlando Pirates are enjoying an impressive run that has largely been inspired by the rebirth of Zakhele Lepasa, and coach Jose Riveiro has revealed the secret behind the striker’s incredible form.
Lepasa has been one of the shining beacons in the 2023/24 season, albeit in its infancy. He has mustered nine of Pirates’ 16 goals in seven games across all competitions, including in the CAF Champions League.
The Soweto-born hitman’s latest exploits came in Bucs’ 2-0 win in a DStv Premiership clash against Cape Town City on Tuesday evening at Orlando Stadium.
He scored the opening goal of the match with a superb strike in the ninth minute, turning well on the edge of the area and firing into the top corner. Patrick Maswanganyi, who is also in scintillating form, killed the match as a contest in the second half.
With the win, Orlando Pirates moved to fourth place in the table with two wins after four matches in the league. They are seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played a game more.
Riveiro has attributed Zakhele Lepasa’s devastating goal-scoring form to getting in the right scoring areas where his teammates can find him and the number of chances created by the midfielders.
‘HE [LEPASA] IS IN A GOOD SPACE’: RIVEIRO
“We need to make sure that our forwards, the number 9s, our 10s and wingers and the ones who are coming from the second line have chances [to score],” said Riveiro.
“So we try to generate as many chances as possible. That’s our obsession to spend as much time as possible in the half of the opponent. Today [last night], it was tough to do that because of the way that Cape Town [City] was pressing.
“And if we are capable of having the team [Pirates] play close to the goal for long periods with the quality that we have in front, it is going to work for us, and that is what is happening; the forwards are scoring.”
The Pirates tactician also said that Bafana Bafana international, Lepasa, is looking sharp and benefiting from increased confidence.
Lepasa’s talent has never been in doubt, but he struggled with injuries that stunted his progress in Pirates colours.
The 26-year-old was sent out on loan at SuperSport United last season to get more game time. Lepasa is now proving to be Riveiro’s go-to man for goals.
“The striker also needed to have confidence. You can see that he is in a good space, and we just have to try and continue with that [creating chances],” added Riveiro.
“That is why the forward [Lepasa] is scoring, and that is why maybe the goals this season are a bit more spread within the group even though Zakes is in a very good moment of form.
“Whoever is playing there [forward position], whether it is Zakes or somebody else, they are lucky. If you see the players that are playing behind them, I think they [strikers] will have a lot of fun.”
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