Former Kaizer Chiefs star George Lebese has opened up about the reasons behind his departure from Amakhosi in 2017, despite being offered a more lucrative contract than the one he received at Mamelodi Sundowns.
A Successful Spell at Chiefs
Lebese joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2008 from Arcadia Shepherds and became a key figure in the team. His contributions helped the club secure league titles in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. However, his time at Naturena took a turn in 2017 when he struggled for game time under coach Steve Komphela.
George Lebese’s Move to Sundowns
Frustrated with limited opportunities on the pitch, Lebese made the surprising decision to leave Chiefs and join Mamelodi Sundowns. Speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW 947, he revealed that the club had actually offered him a higher salary, reportedly around R230,000 per month. However, his decision to move was influenced by more than just money.
“I could see I was not going to play,” he admitted, referencing Komphela’s decision to sideline him. Additionally, he stated that someone who was supposed to be managing his career encouraged him to make the move, possibly due to personal financial interests in the deal.
“For whatever reason, I think he was getting more on the other side [Sundowns] than from my renewal. I would never have known. But he pushed me in a way that made me say the words he wanted to hear,” Lebese explained.
Another factor in his decision was his lifelong support for Sundowns. He acknowledged that the timing of the move seemed right, given his personal ties to the club and a desire to please his family.
Regret Over How Things Ended
Looking back, Lebese admitted that he felt he had let down Chiefs’ football manager, Bobby Motaung.
“I still remember our last conversation vividly when he put the renewal contract in front of me. I told him I was not renewing. His face showed shock—he did not see it coming,” Lebese recalled.
He later reached out to Motaung to apologise, realising that his decision had disappointed someone who had played a major role in his career.
A Short-lived Spell at Sundowns
Lebese‘s time at Sundowns did not go as planned. He struggled for regular game time and was eventually loaned to SuperSport United, where he also failed to make an impact. He later moved to the United States, playing for Colorado Springs Switchbacks before retiring in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global football.
Now, the former winger is looking to transition into a new chapter in football as a pundit.
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