The story behind the scenes

Lebese’s potential suitors…

As aforementioned, Lebese has limited options if he’s not willing to take a substantial pay cut in order to move on, with only a handful of clubs in South Africa having the resources to pay even close to the wages that he is currently earning at Chloorkop.

Kaizer Chiefs return?

It’s unlikely, but Lebese’s former employers, Kaizer Chiefs, are one of the clubs that could potentially pay the man something close to what he’s looking for, and their current form does suggest that they would be on the lookout for new signings should the right ones present themselves. That being said, Chiefs do have an abundance of attackers at present, and may need to look at offloading before considering a move for their academy product.

Could the Buccaneers save him?

A move to the other side of Soweto would seem just as unlikely at this point in time, especially given the fact the Orlando Pirates are currently flying high in the Absa Premiership and their left-sided attacker, Vincent Pule, is one of the most in-form players in the league. However, the club’s management may be tempted to take a chance on Lebese if he is available cheap, especially given the opportunity to snatch a player who, for a long time, was a fan favourite at their most bitter rivals.

Change of scenery could suit the attacker…

Benni McCarthy may see Lebese as a player that he could potentially work with and get back on track if he could be persuaded to make a switch outside of Gauteng for the first time in his career. At 29, Lebese is no longer a youngster that can speak of his ‘potential’, though McCarthy could be a coach that could get the best out of him. The financial side of things, and their current personnel, may be a stumbling block for Cape Town City. However, he is a big-name player that could maybe help them on and off the field.

How about their cross-city rivals?

If he’s not looking to move too far from home, then Lebese could consider a switch to the blue side of Tshwane, with SuperSport United another club that has the resources to pay wages good enough for the attacker to look at. There has been plenty of business done between Masandawana and Matsatsantsa in the past; however, it does appear that the latter is now taking a more pragmatic approach with regards to promoting their youth players rather than bringing in big names on big wages from outside.

Gavin Hunt to the rescue?

The only other club that could possibly afford Lebese’s wages are current log leaders, Bidvest Wits. Gavin Hunt has a reputation for giving older players a chance over the years and could be the sort of coach that the attacker needs to try and resurrect his career before it’s too late. Wits do have players who play in Lebese’s position, though, and might be afraid of upturning things too much having turned around their difficult 2017/18 Absa Premiership campaign and made a smooth start to the current season.

And the others…

There is no doubt that every other club in the Premier Soccer League would be keen to bring Lebese on board, at the right price and if the opportunity was afforded to them, though a lot of the clubs would in all likeliness aim to secure him on a loan move in which they weren’t asked to pay all of the player’s wages. Lebese may be open to that idea, in search of regular football, though the same might not be said of his current employers.