Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker says he is not surprised to see Zakhele Lepasa shining for Orlando Pirates, and he is one of the players his team will have to keep in check in Sunday’s MTN8 semi-final first leg at Athlone Stadium.
Lepasa and Barker worked together briefly when the former spent six months on loan at Stellenbosch during the 2018/19 campaign.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Barker said Lepasa has always been talented and a hard worker, so he’s pleased to see him in the form he’s been in this campaign.
“I’m very pleased for Lepasa,” Barker at the prematch media day.
“He had a short stint with us six months on loan. At the time, Rayners was doing really well for us so it was a bit difficult for him to break into the squad.
“So somebody reminded me the other day, saying that ‘Ja, you’ve had some nice strikers at your club, hey’ Ashley Du Preez, Lepasa, Rayners’.
“So I said, ‘ja no, it’s always nice to work with players that know how to score’ and Zakes has always been a hard-working, really talented footballer who takes his craft seriously.
“Even when he was here, I think that long injury that he had set him back but to overcome that, overcome criticism from fans and that, and to still then be performing the way he has, must credit must go to him.
“We know he’s dangerous in and around the box, he’s got a really good finish on him. So he is playing with confidence also. So he’s definitely somebody that we have to keep a lid on.
“So ja, I’m glad for him and we have to keep him quiet. Yes. And Saleng and Masangwani, and others.”
