Concern for future pushed Lepasa for loan request 

The forward fell down the pecking order under coach Jose Riveiro when it looked like he would be the one leading the line at the start of the season. 

Lepasa revealed Pirates were initially reluctant. 

"I'm the one who went, obviously the club did not agree. They did not want [for me to leave] so for the whole month, the whole of January, but, I asked for it because I just thought that I needed to play a bit more, so I can gain my strength back, so I can get my confidence back. 

Being back and forth, playing and then three games you don't play then you don't play. You don't know where your career is going, so that's why I asked for the loan", Lepasa said. 

There’s a lot less of a spotlight at SuperSport, which Lepasa argues gives him the freedom to express himself. Although he admitted he wants more.

"I'm not where I want to be. I want to be in a place where there's too much pressure because it forces you to work hard and you grow as a player. There's less pressure here [at SuperSport United, there's more freedom to play, and there's more freedom to express yourself. 

My goal as a player is to be in a place where there's pressure. If it was up to me I'd be in a place where there's more pressure" 

At 25 years of age, Lepasa still believes the door is not closed on a possible move to Europe too. 

"For me to go and ask for a loan, it's just to see. Not that you compare yourself to other people, but if we can all play in the national team together, and if we can all be given a space where we can all play, a lot of us can end up going that side, cos there's still time. There's probably a year or two, realistically, left for us to try and go. You won't get that if you stay in the stands, unfortunately". 

Furthermore, Lepasa remains uncertain about his Pirates' future. 

"I still have a lot of years left at Pirates. I just thought about it that each and every year the same thing will happen, they'll bring in, probably, in the next season they'll bring in three more strikers, then the hierarchy is always low, and you're always down there even if you push yourself. One mistake you out, so it doesn't really work out for me".