The Rise, Fall, and Uncertain Future of Zakasa Lepasa at Orlando Pirates

Zakasa Lepasa’s journey from a celebrated talent to a forgotten figure at Orlando Pirates is a story of unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities.

Just a few years ago, Lepasa was viewed as a future star, expected to lead the Pirates’ attack and contribute significantly to both club and country.

But as the current season draws to a close, his absence on the pitch has become impossible to ignore.

Remarkably, Lepasa has not played a single competitive minute this season — no league appearances, no domestic cup involvement, and not even a cameo during the club’s CAF Champions League campaign.

This complete exclusion from matchday squads raises serious questions about his standing within the team and his future prospects at the club.

Two seasons ago, Lepasa was loaned out to SuperSport United, where he briefly rekindled the form that once made him a hot prospect.

During that spell, flashes of his old brilliance suggested a promising comeback was possible.

Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and increased competition for forward positions under Orlando Pirates’ coach Jose Riveiro has pushed him further down the pecking order.

While other forwards like Evidence Makgopa have seized their opportunities and stepped up to fill the void, Lepasa has faded into the background.

Without consistent game time, his match fitness and confidence have suffered, creating a vicious cycle that has made it difficult for him to reclaim his place.

As the season ends, whispers about a major squad overhaul at Orlando Pirates have intensified.

Sources close to the club suggest that Lepasa’s departure is increasingly likely.

Although the exact details of his contract remain undisclosed, the club’s intentions seem clear: a fresh start is on the horizon, but not for Lepasa at Pirates.

Lepasa’s prolonged absence has not gone unnoticed by fans, analysts, or rival clubs.

During the last transfer window, reports indicated interest from SuperSport United and the newly promoted team, Royal AM, in acquiring the striker.

However, no deal was finalized, leaving Lepasa in limbo for the current season.

SuperSport United, in particular, has witnessed firsthand what Lepasa can offer when fully fit and motivated.

Their interest may well be rekindled, especially as they seek to bolster their attacking options for the next campaign.

Interestingly, even Brian Baloyi, a legend of the Kaizer Chiefs, foresaw Lepasa’s predicament.

Speaking during the January transfer window, Baloyi publicly encouraged both Kaizer Chiefs and Lepasa to consider a move, suggesting it could be mutually beneficial.

The Chiefs, who managed just 25 league goals last season and failed to finish in the top eight despite winning the Nedbank Cup, are in desperate need of more firepower upfront.

Could Kaizer Chiefs be the next destination for Lepasa? Or will SuperSport United offer him the redemption he craves?

Perhaps a completely new club might provide the environment he needs to rediscover his form and fulfill the promise he once held.

For Lepasa, the clock is ticking.

At 28 years of age, the prime years of a striker’s career are now.

The next move could define his legacy—whether as a player who overcame adversity or as one whose potential was never fully realized.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, appear ready to move on without him.

The club is focused on rebuilding and refreshing the squad to compete at the highest levels.

Lepasa’s name features prominently among the players expected to leave, signaling a clear end to his chapter at the Mayfair-based club.

Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Lepasa can stage a comeback.

Stories of forgotten strikers making triumphant returns are always compelling, and there is no shortage of hope that Lepasa could yet write a memorable chapter in South African football.

In conclusion, Zakasa Lepasa’s future at Orlando Pirates looks bleak, but his footballing journey is far from over.

Whether he finds a new home at SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs, or elsewhere, the striker’s next steps will be critical.

Will he seize the second chance he desperately needs?

Or will the silence that has engulfed his career continue?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the story of Lepasa’s rise, fall, and potential resurgence remains one of the most intriguing narratives in South African football today.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as the football world watches to see if Lepasa can once again become the player everyone believed he could be.