Lebese says it was an ‘oops’ to move to Sundowns for fat pay cheque
WATCH: Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder George Lebese has finally opened up about his departure from Naturena to Chloorkop.
George Lebese (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Lebese moved to Sundowns from Chiefs in August 2017‚ but failed to make an impact at Chloorkop and was subsequently released by Sundowns in September this year.
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In an interview with Robert Marawa on Marawa TV on Thursday night, Lebese revealed that his move to Sundowns was influenced by monetary issues and his family.
“It was a very difficult stage where I had to make a decision and quick. A lot of temptations… I wouldn’t blame it on anyone‚ and say [it was about] not getting proper advice‚” he said.
“I’d say it was what I wanted then. I was still happy at Chiefs but there’s a lot of other factors that came in and I was tempted to make that decision.
“Like I tell people‚ two things had to happen – either I move on and probably regret or I stay and regret not going. I say better an ‘oops’ than a ‘what if’ and you learn – it’s life‚ it’s football.”
Asked by Marawa whether his move to Chloorkop was influenced mainly by the offer that he could not refuse‚ Lebese replied: “Ja. Basically, it had more to do with that than [any issues to do with] Kaizer Chiefs.
“So sitting there I was thinking‚ ‘It’s too good to be true‚ and all these promises’. So‚ ja‚ I made a move and it was an ‘oops’.”
Lebese said joining Sundowns from Chiefs came with a lot of pressure from supporters of both teams.
“There was a lot of pressure, obviously, coming from Chiefs‚ especially with all the supporters who were disappointed. I got a lot of messages‚ some by a lot of fans calling me traitor‚” he said.
“It was unexpected that I would take such a decision. All the supporters were hoping that I would stay there [at Chiefs] for long and become the next legend at the team‚ jst having only played for one team.
“But that moment came and things changed‚ a decision was made. I wouldn’t say I regret it but if it had to come again then I would probably take a better decision this time.”
Asked to elaborate on why he believes he made a wrong move to join Sundowns, Lebese said: “When you join a team, it’s either things go good or bad. So when I join the team (Sundowns), it was doing well. I wanted a change of scenery. [There was] a lot of influence from home because they were the supporters of the team. So when I made [the move], it didn’t work out.”
Lebese made just 14 league and cup appearances in his one and a half seasons at Sundowns‚ and played seven league matches in a six-month loan spell at SuperSport United.
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