What happened to the deadly ex-Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana forward? Seema explains

Orlando Pirates, surprisingly, released striker Zakhele Lepasa at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou saw him as surplus to requirements, opting to work with his signing Yanela Mbuthuma, Boitumelo Radiopane, Evidence Makgopa, and Tshegofatso Mabasa, who he eventually let join Stellenbosch in the January transfer window.

Lepasa joined newbies Siwelele FC hoping to deliver for coach Lehlohonolo Seema. However, things didn’t go according to plan as the 29-year-old struggled for game time.

Lepasa, who had played at Pirates for five seasons, managed just three appearances for Siwelele.

Seema opens up on Lepasa’s struggles at Siwelele

Seema has now explained that Lepasa needed time to get back to his best after spending a season out at Bucs without playing owing to injuries.

“Zakes [Lepasa] is one of the players who is experienced; he is a guy who likes to score goals. He is always positive; he’s got a big heart,” he told MSW.

“And I said to him, it’s been a long time since he has been playing, then I had some talks with him, and he understands, and also his injury didn’t make things easier for him. He has been working hard, and that’s why, after we signed him, I played him in the first game and told him that for the next six months, we’re going to work on him to make sure we strengthen him.

“He worked hard; that’s why in December [2025], he played against Richards Bay FC. But some of the things—like the intensity and how quickly the games are—if you have not adjusted, you’ll struggle. But we had private chats, and he knows where he is and what he needs to do; then we’ll see him back on the field,” he concluded.