LESHABELA RUNS WITH THE FOXES

IT LOOKS to be only a matter of time before Khanya Leshabela becomes the latest South African to play in the English Premier League (EPL) after he penned a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Leicester City this week.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been on Leicester’s books since 2013, and, having shone last season for their under18s, he has continued to impress for the Under-23 side this term.

Nominated for the Academy Player of the Year Award in the previous campaign, Leshabela has already come close to making his first team debut after being named in manager Claude Puel’s squad for a Carabao Cup game against Southampton in November 2018.

“This is great for me and my family,” Leshabela was quoted saying on his club’s website. “I’ve worked hard to get this and I’m just grateful to be given such an opportunity. This is the hard bit right now! I’m just looking to push forward and push into the first team.

“This year it’s been great to step up again into the Under-23s. It’s much different compared to the Under-18s, it’s a lot quicker and more physical so you’ve got to be aggressive and at it, in every game, because there’s no hiding place,” Leshabela added.

Should Leshabela make his debut this season, he’ll be the only South African currently to play in England’s top flight.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, who is with Championship side Brentford, and Kgosietsile Ntlhe (Rochdale, League One) are the only other South Africans playing in the top four divisions in England.

Two others - Siph Mdlalose (Southampton) and Nikola Tavares (Crystal Palace) - are also at Premiership clubs, but in the youth ranks.

Steven Pienaar was the last South African to play in the Premier League - in April 2017.