Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa could not hide his delight after returning to first-team action after over a year on the sidelines due to injury.
The 24-year-old received a seven-minute run-out in their comeback 2-1 win over AmaZulu which marked Pirates’ last game of 2021.
And it’s been a long road to recovery for the academy product who was starting to cement his place in the starting eleven before the ankle injury.
“I would love to thank every medical staff member that was involved in helping me get back, every doctor, nurse, physio and bio’s that worked with me. I am truly grateful,” he wrote on social media.
“Special thanks to the Orlando Pirates medical team and technical team. I wouldn’t be here without you all. I was a difficult person to deal with at times but we pulled through.
“A big thank you to every one of my teammates, you pushed me and still believed in me. I love you gents. A special thanks to Alex Shahim, I can never explain how lucky I feel to be managed by you. You believe in me so much!
“To my family and my close friends, I will always cherish you guys in my heart. You have been with me since day and I will never forget that.
“And lastly thank you to everyone who wished me well tonight and in the past months. This is what we prayed for! It feels good to wear that beautiful jersey again!.”
