Reborn Lebese hopes for long stay at United
Winger gears up for tough fight against Pirates
On-loan SuperSport United winger George Lebese has expressed hope of securing a permanent transfer to the club. Lebese is on a six months loan deal with SuperSport after a frustrating spell with Mamelodi Sundowns since his arrival in 2017.
The 30-year-old made his debut for Matsatsantsa a Pitori as a substitute last week in their 3-2 win over Golden Arrows – his first appearance on the field of play since May 2018. “The loan deal is an opportunity for me to try to raise my hand and show the club that I can deliver,” he said. “If that happens then I would love to see something permanent happen.”
Lebese’s agent Steve Kapeluschnik pulled off the transfer on the last day of the January transfer window. The former Kaizer Chiefs fan favourite conceded that he had resigned himself to continuing his frustrating stay at Chloorkop.
“I didn’t see it happening because it was on the last day of the transfer window. It was a bit stressful, but I was glad it finally happened. I am just happy to be here,” he said at the club’s training grounds in Sunninghill.
Having played a mere five games in the last 12 months, the Mamelodi-born chap admits that his fitness levels are not where they should be. “In terms of getting minutes, obviously yes, I need to catch up because I haven’t been in the field for long,” he said. During his time with Amakhosi, Lebese had many battles with fellow Soweto giant Orlando Pirates. Matsatsantsa face the Buccaneers at the Mbombela Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm). The Tshwane club needs to play a tactically astute game in defence says Lebese. “Pirates have been very lethal this season and have been scoring goals so we have to try to stop that.”
For a club that has become accustomed to winning trophies almost every season, SuperSport United will likely look back at the current season with a sense of disappointment. Matsatsantsa a Pitori missed out on all three cup competitions on offer and only a miracle can help them clinch the Absa Premiership.
In his first season in charge, coach Kaitano Tembo led the team to the MTN8 final but lost out to Cape Town City. In the league, their form has been characterised by inconsistencies where they have eight wins, five draws and six losses.
“My first year... we have been inconsistent because we started very well but lost the MTN8,” Tembo reflected. “In the earlier stages we were getting the results but we also lost our influential players and our team became disjointed.
“Even though we did not have our strongest players we managed to be in third position at the halfway mark. Now those injured players are coming back and that can only be good for us going forward.” The three-time league champions were indeed ravaged by injuries to key players, including Bradley Grobler, Thabo Mnyamane and Dean Furman.
The management has added fresh impetus to the squad with the signing of George Lebese and on-loan Mxolisi Machupu from Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits respectively.
Tembo has been pleased with the way the pair has integrated into the team.
“The two additions – George and Mxolisi – have brought a lot of difference and morale in the team. I think the confidence in the team is back now and we are in a good space.” Matsatsantsa a Pitori will face Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm).
‘‘ Confidence in the team is back now and we are in a good space