Posted in News on Jul 02, 2008.
The speedy left-winger came on as a substitute against Mbabana Highlanders and against Deportivo Maputo in the final, impressing Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertugral. “We were tipped by a scout,” comments Ertugral. “Lebese joined us at the start of the pre-season and I liked what I saw. He’s pacy and he has a very educated left foot. He has a bright future.” The Amakhosi is presently negotiating with the player’s parents and Shepherds to sign the skilful winger.
Lebese joined Arcadia Shepherds in 2003 from Rentmeester FC, another Pretoria-based club. Well-known former South African soccer stars like Thomas Madigage and Mark Fish also started their soccer careers at Shepherds’ development structures. “George is a very dynamic player,” says Nico Fischer, who coached Lebese last season at Shepherds and who has known the youngster since he was in charge of Rentmeesters’ Under-12s. “He has matured a lot since last season and I think that he’s ready to make the jump to a big club like Chiefs. George’s crosses from the left wing are excellent and he loves taking defenders on.” Lebese was born in Mamelodi and it is a surprise that Pretoria’s two Absa Premiership sides Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United overlooked the talented winger.
“Sundowns wanted me to join them last season,” says Lebese, “but only for their development side. That didn’t sound very convincing to me and that’s why I decided to stay at Shepherds.” Lebese is “excited” to join Chiefs and was “extremely happy” to make his Amakhosi debut at the Mpumalanga Cup, which Chiefs won: “I was nervous, because suddenly I played with guys I used to see playing on TV. Now, suddenly, they were my teammates”. His dream? “To become a regular starter for Chiefs,” reacts Lebese.
