Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa’s absence from the Bafana Bafana squad ahead of their upcoming friendly match against Ivory Coast has been explained.
Lepasa was introduced as a second-half substitute on Friday against Eswatini. But he was left behind on Saturday morning as the team departed for Abidjan.
Lepasa’s withdrawal is a blow to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who was hoping to use the friendly match to assess his options ahead of the 2023 AFCON.
The 26-year-old striker has been in good form for Pirates this season. He has scored 10 goals in 12 appearances in all competitions.
WHY ZAKHELE LEPASA WAS LEFT BEHIND
Bafana team doctor Thabo Maleka explained the reason for Lepasa’s absence in the camp.
“Lepasa is struggling with a left knee overuse injury, which could have been exacerbated by the recent games and training,” Maleka told Bafana’s media officer, Romy Titus.
“On the eve of travelling, the injury became worse and therefore necessitated that he must get some investigation to find the degree or severity of the injury in order to inform treatment.”
He added that the Bucs forward was now in the care of his club’s medical team. Despite Lepasa’s withdrawal, Broos still has a number of options in attack. Lyle Foster, Lebo Mothiba, and Khanyisa Mayo are all vying for a place in the starting line-up.
Bafana will face Ivory Coast at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Tuesday, 17 October 2023.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s captain Ronwen Williams is reportedly making steady progress after missing the Eswatini game. Maleka said he was recovering well and could possibly be in the team for Tuesday’s encounter.
Should he not make it, Broos also has Ricardo Goss as an option after starting Veli Mothwa against Eswatini.
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