South African striker Zakhele Lepasa has officially left Orlando Pirates after seven years at the club, aiming to revive his career and reclaim his place in the national team.
At 28 years old, the Soweto-born forward was not included in the preseason camp in Spain, confirming his exit. His latest season was heavily impacted by a long-term injury keeping him off the pitch for several months. Over 64 appearances, Lepasa scored 15 goals for the Pirates but never firmly established himself, partly due to several loan spells at Stellenbosch FC, TS Galaxy, and SuperSport United, where he notably helped TS Galaxy win the Nedbank Cup in 2019.
Although Lepasa struggled to secure a permanent spot in the Pirates’ first team, he remains an experienced South African international with 18 caps and 3 goals. Despite his injury setback during the 2024-2025 season, he is eager to return to top form and looks forward to securing a new club this summer.
In recent interviews, Lepasa expressed his strong desire to get back on the field and fight to regain his place in South Africa’s senior squad. He was also selected to participate in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) starting in August 2025, confirming his continued value at the international level.
His departure aligns with Orlando Pirates’ strategy to refresh their squad ahead of the 2025-2026 season. For Lepasa, this marks a pivotal moment to rebound and start a fresh chapter in his professional football journey.
