We gave Lebese a chance‚ says Mosimane

Forthright Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he gave George Lebese enough opportunities to command a regular place in the team but the midfielder did not grab the chances that came his way.

Lebese‚ who spent almost two seasons at Chloorkop‚ faces an uncertain future after he was released by Sundowns in the transfer window a few days ago.

“Teams like Sundowns‚ Chiefs and Pirates, we are all affected. Even Wits signed players last year‚ did they play?” asked Mosimane when asked for the reasons that led to the decision to offload Lebese.

“It’s life and it happens. Even the smaller clubs signed players they’ve now released.

“These things happen‚ it’s just that we [Sundowns] are in the spotlight. We gave him a chance‚ let’s be honest.

“He played games and sometimes when it doesn’t work out players tend to say other things.

“Some are honest and say: ‘Look, I got a chance to play and I was training every day.’

“Some would probably say: ‘I was victimised because I was doing exceptionally well at training and I was not given a chance to play.’ I don’t victimise players because I don’t like you as a person. We are football people and our common objective is for Sundowns to win games.”

Lebese joined Sundowns from Kaizer Chiefs in a highprofile transfer in August 2017 but the winger never made an impression at Chloorkop after making a few appearances in the Brazilians’ shirt.

After complaining about his lack of game time‚ Lebese joined SuperSport United on a sixmonth loan deal in January but that move also failed to yield the desired results after he made just seven appearances.

He returned to Sundowns at the end of last season but parted ways with the Brazilians on the last day of the transfer window.

Mosimane dismissed critics’ claims that he had an agenda against Lebese.