Lepasa giving Hunt’s SuperSport United ‘different dimension’

SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has explained the transfer deadline deal of Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa. 

Lepasa has joined Matsatsantsa on a loan until the end of the season. The move came as a surprise to some in the football fraternity. 

The 26-year-old made his debut during the 2-0 win against Cape Town City over the weekend.

Speaking during a Nedbank Cup media briefing on Monday in Johannesburg, Hunt said they needed something different in their striker department. 

ZAKHELE LEPASA GIVES SUPERSPORT UNITED A DIFFERENT DIMENSION 

“I think in every department in a football team, you need players to play in a position,” he explained. 

“But you also need different types of players. So, if you look at our strike force, we have very similar types of strikers, so we needed something different.

“I always felt we needed something different and he gives us something different. So, that’s pretty much how the whole thing came about,” added Hunt. 

GAVIN HUNT OPTIMISTIC LEPASA WILL MAKE AN IMPACT 

“Obviously I am not involved in the actual deal but I can only say we need something like this and I think he gives us that. Let’s see how [it goes]. It is still a start.

“Threw him straight [into the line-up]; people say I was mad, which I am, but I think that’s the only way. It’s like you sign a player for R50 million, and they say you have to coach him. Are you joking with me? You must play him.”

Lepasa joins an experienced SuperSport striking force which has the likes of Thamsanqa Gabuza, Bradley Grobler, Mamour Niang and Thabang Sibanyoni. 

After indications that he might leave, the club also opted to keep veteran striker Gabuza, while Iqraam Rayners has moved to Stellenbosch FC. 

Matsatsantsa will host Dondol Stars in a Nedbank Cup last 32 match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday, 8 February, at 19:30.

RELATED STORY: Orlando Pirates’ Riveiro explains decision to loan Zakhele Lepasa