Zak Lepasa’s Shocking Farewell to Orlando Pirates: Was It Injury or Betrayal? ‘Once and Always’ or Just Once and Done?
Zak Lepasa, once hailed as one of Orlando Pirates’ brightest talents, has officially said goodbye to the club that shaped much of his professional career.
His farewell video, filled with heartfelt gratitude and a touch of melancholy, marks the end of an era for the South African footballer.
Yet, behind the simple goodbye lies a story of promise, setbacks, and unanswered questions that have stirred fans and pundits alike.
Lepasa’s journey with Orlando Pirates was anything but straightforward.
Having joined the club several years ago, his early days were marked by flashes of brilliance that hinted at a prolific future.
The 2022-2023 season was particularly spectacular for him, where he started “like a house on fire,” scoring goals and thrilling supporters.
Unfortunately, injuries cruelly interrupted his momentum, sidelining him for the entire following season and casting a shadow over his career trajectory.
Injuries are the bane of many athletes’ careers, but for Lepasa, they seemed especially devastating.
They robbed him not only of playing time but also of the chance to build on his early successes and cement his place as a key player for the Pirates.
The fact that he missed the entire preseason before the last season only compounded the problem, making his future with the club increasingly uncertain.
Despite these challenges, Lepasa remained a product of the Orlando Pirates system—a player nurtured and developed within the club’s ranks for nearly six to seven years.
His career path included several loan spells, each adding a layer of complexity to his relationship with the Pirates.
In the 2018-2019 season, he was loaned to Stellenbosch, only to return mid-season.
Almost immediately after, he was sent on loan again, this time to TS Galaxy, where he famously scored a goal that etched his name into the club’s history.
These loan moves, while offering Lepasa valuable playing time, also hinted at a lack of long-term commitment from the Pirates.
The pattern suggested that while the club recognized his talent, they struggled to find a permanent role for him within their squad.
A subsequent loan to SuperSport United followed, after which he returned to Pirates but never quite recaptured his peak form.
The farewell video Lepasa shared was both touching and telling.
He spoke of a difficult two weeks as he processed the reality of leaving the club.
He expressed deep gratitude to the chairman, management, technical staff, coaches, teammates, and especially the fans—those who had supported him from day one.
His repeated phrase, “Once and always,” seemed to underscore a lingering loyalty to the Pirates, even as he prepared to move on.
Yet, the timing and tone of his departure raise questions.
Lepasa revealed he had known about his exit for about a week or two, suggesting a sudden decision rather than a long-planned exit.
Was this a mutual parting, or was he pushed out due to his injuries and inconsistent form?
The football world is no stranger to such dramas, where player departures are often wrapped in polite farewells that mask deeper conflicts.
Adding fuel to the speculation is the rumor linking Lepasa to Debon City, where coach Kevin Hunt reportedly wants him.
If true, this move could represent a fresh start for Lepasa—a chance to prove his fitness and regain his form away from the pressures of a top-tier club like Orlando Pirates.
The timing is critical, as the new season looms, and Lepasa’s future hangs in the balance.
The host of the farewell video expressed confidence that Lepasa would find a new club before the season’s start, if not sooner.
Given his talent and experience, it seems unlikely he will remain unattached for long.
However, the question remains whether he can overcome his injury woes and deliver the kind of football that once made him a fan favorite.
Lepasa’s story is a cautionary tale about the fragility of a football career.
Talent and early promise can be swiftly undermined by injury and circumstance.
For fans of Orlando Pirates, his departure is bittersweet—a reminder of what might have been and a hope for what could still come.
As Lepasa steps into this new chapter, the football community watches with bated breath.
Will he rise again, shining brighter than before, or will this goodbye mark the beginning of a slow fade from the spotlight? Only time will tell.
In the end, Zak Lepasa’s farewell is more than just a player leaving a club.
It’s a drama filled with ambition, setbacks, loyalty, and uncertainty—a microcosm of the beautiful game’s harsh realities.
His words, “Once and always,” resonate not just as a sign-off but as a challenge to himself and to the fans: to remember the past but also to look forward to what the future holds.
One thing is certain: the story of Zak Lepasa and Orlando Pirates is far from over.
The next chapter promises to be just as compelling, if not more so, as this talented footballer seeks to rewrite his destiny on the pitch.
For now, the curtain falls on his Pirates era, leaving fans wondering—was this goodbye truly heartfelt, or just a prelude to a dramatic comeback?
