Former head of development at Orlando Pirates, Augusto Palacios has revealed how the Soweto giants discovered in-form striker Zakhele Lepasa.
Lepasa who is emerging as the next lethal striker in the DStv Premiership has scored an incredible five goals in three games at the start of the season.
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The 26-year-old Bafana Bafana international has transferred his form from a loan spell at SuperSport United and the national team to the Buccaneers this season.
"Lepase is a typical striker, he is always in and around the box, he's got speed, he's a killer," Palacios tells KickOff.
"I coached him at Pirates when he was 17 years old. I know him from when he came as a trialist.
"When he arrived at Pirates, we noticed he had a hunger to score goals.
"He was brought to Pirates by a certain Mr Khathide, who was a close friend of the chairman. I don't remember where he was from.
"We worked and worked on his finishing because, at the time, all he did was run and run but couldn't finish once he was inside the box.
"What impressed us the most when Mr Khathide brought him was his physicality and his pace.
"He was very disciplined and always arrived on time for training. I decided to do individual training with him and Boitumelo Radiopane.
"The reason he is scoring so much these days is because he has perfected his timing of when to arrive in the box.
"The ball always finds him in the box. I congratulate him on that. He reminds me of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. He is always in the box when he scores.
"I'm happy because Pirates developed him, he is the product of Orlando Pirates.
"80% of great players in the world are cg fe poor disadvanies.
"I'm counting the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho.
"What is great with Lepasa's form is that, at the moment, this country needs a striker."
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