Siwelele FC head coach Lehlohonolo Seema has heaped praise on Orlando
Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, while also outlining plans to help new
signing Zakhele Lepasa regain his best form.
Speaking at the Carling Knockout Cup press conference, Seema fondly recalled
coaching a young Mabasa during their time together at Bloemfontein Celtic’s
reserve team.
“It’s always nice to see players like that break records, and I’m happy for
him,” Seema said. “He’s one of a special generation we had at Celtic,
alongside players like Sipho Chaine, (Neo) Maema, and Thapelo Morena. To see
the strides he has made at a big team like Orlando Pirates is fantastic.”
Mabasa, nicknamed “The Sniper,” recently came off the bench to score his
50th goal for Pirates, moving him closer to Benedict Vilakazi’s PSL-era club
record of 58. Seema’s immediate task, however, is to prepare his Siwelele
defence to stop his former protégé in Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup Last
16 clash.
Lepasa’s New Beginning
Shifting focus to his own squad, Seema provided a positive update on new
striker Zakhele Lepasa, who joined Siwelele after leaving Pirates. The coach
emphasized the club’s commitment to patiently helping the player rediscover
his sharpness.
“The first thing I noticed at training is that the guy is still happy to be
in football,” Seema revealed. “Sometimes when you’ve been out for a long
time, you lose interest, but he looked very happy. Everyone knows he is a
prolific finisher, and the supporters are waiting to see him.”
Seema was quick to dismiss any concerns about Lepasa’s physical condition,
stating, “I can tell you that he is 100% pain free. It’s not about injury or
fitness, but about sharpness, movement around the box, and making sure he
gets back to his best.”
The coach confirmed the upcoming FIFA break will be used to fast-track
Lepasa’s integration and called for patience from the club’s supporters.
“We are patient, and we need our supporters to be patient,” Seema concluded.
“We cannot expect him to come in and immediately be at his peak. We are
going to work nicely with him, but slowly.”
Saturday’s match at Orlando Stadium is now set for a compelling narrative: a
mentor versus mentee battle between Seema and Mabasa, and the potential
beginning of Lepasa’s redemption story.
