Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has had his say on Zakhele Lepasa’s withdrawal from Bafana Bafana last weekend.
Hugo Broos‘ charges played two international friendlies against neighbours Eswatini at FNB Stadium last Friday and Ivory Coast on Tuesday away from home.
Lepasa featured against Eswatini, coming on from the bench. He was left behind when the team travelled to Abidjan, with Bafana’s team doctor, Thabo Maleka, and Hugo Broos saying he was injured.
This was after reports that the Buccaneers’ leading goalscorer had a fallout with Broos which led to his withdrawal after the 0-0 draw with Sihlangu Semnikati.
Riveiro has since revealed that Lepasa was carrying an injury going into the just-ended Bafana Bafana camp.
JOSE RIVEIRO ON ZAKHELE LEPASA
He was speaking during the Carling Black Label Knockout Cup press conference on Wednesday afternoon. The Spaniard admitted that Lepasa was not “100%” even in the MTN8 final between Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
“Firstly, you have to understand that I’m not aware of the speculations [Lepasa fighting with Hugo Broos] around the case because I don’t read or watch anything that has to do with the national team. So, I don’t know what happened,” said Riveiro.
“What I know is that he came back from the camp on Saturday morning due to the injury. To be honest, he did have some problems before the MTN8 final.
“We were really taking care of Zakhele in the previous days before the final. He was not 100% until the final day. He finished the game again not 100%, but he managed to make it to the national team camp.”
The 48-year-old coach continued: “What happened in the national team camp is not in my knowledge. It’s something I don’t know. I don’t think it’s a good idea to speculate about the health of the players.
“If ‘Zakes’ didn’t complete the national team camp you can trust me that he was not 100%. There’s no doubt about that ‘Zakes’ was not 100% with injury.
“He’s getting better, but he’s not 100% he will make it to the game on Friday for us.”
WILL ZAKHELE LEPASA PLAY ON FRIDAY?
Coach Riveiro went on to state that they are not certain if Lepasa will be able to take part in Friday’s game against Cape Town Spurs.
“We will decide in the next 24 hours if he will be able to play or not and if he’s not playing somebody is going to be there to replace him,” he added.
“So, we are collective and we don’t add drama to a drama when a player cannot be there. We move on and look for the next one”
The game between the Sea Robbers and the Urban Warriors will take place at Orlando Stadium. The kick-off is set for 19:30.
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