George Lebese says it was hard for coach Steve Komphela to fit him back into Kaizer Chiefs’ starting line-up when the winger came back from injury and Amakhosi were on a winning run.
Lebese had been one of Chiefs’ star players and sources of attack while they were stuttering unconvincingly through the first half of the season before a back injury laid him low for six weeks from late December.
Fortunately for Lebese most of that period was occupied by the Christmas recess and the break for the Africa Cup of Nations.
However‚ once he had resumed full training and brought to match fitness‚ Chiefs were on a roll.
They have now gone 10 league and cup matches unbeaten‚ and Lebese has played just three matches this year‚ two as a substitute.
“I would like to play‚ but I just have to wait for my opportunity‚” said the winger ahead of Saturday night’s crucial Absa Premiership clash for fourth-placed Chiefs against fifth-placed defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
“Look‚ obviously I came back from an injury.
"The team was playing well while I was away.
“They were getting the results‚ you know – you can’t just change the team‚ because they were doing well.
“So I got back. I needed time to gel with the team.
"Which obviously there isn’t much time because you needed results.
“So the coach just chose different players‚ chose a different dimension.
"And I can say that all I have to do is adapt to that and try and work my way back into the team.
“It’s very disappointing for me. It frustrates me.
"But there isn’t much I can do – I just have to work hard and hopefully get a chance from team management to play again.”
Asked if he had been spoken to about his current situation by Komphela‚ Lebese said: “Like I said‚ my job is just to work hard on the field and if the coach sees that then hopefully I play if maybe he chooses a different formation or different player.
“I just have to work hard. I can’t question the coach’s decision.”
Asked if Komphela has explained what’s needed from Lebese to get back into the team‚ the player said: “What comes from him is just motivation.
“He sees me working hard. I just have to keep working hard to make the team.
“So we do speak. I just have to work hard. I put everything on me.” - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
"It’s very disappointing for me. It frustrates me," says Chiefs winger George Lebese
George Lebese says it was hard for coach Steve Komphela to fit him back into Kaizer Chiefs’ starting line-up when the winger came back from injury and Amakhosi were on a winning run.
Lebese had been one of Chiefs’ star players and sources of attack while they were stuttering unconvincingly through the first half of the season before a back injury laid him low for six weeks from late December.
Fortunately for Lebese most of that period was occupied by the Christmas recess and the break for the Africa Cup of Nations.
However‚ once he had resumed full training and brought to match fitness‚ Chiefs were on a roll.
They have now gone 10 league and cup matches unbeaten‚ and Lebese has played just three matches this year‚ two as a substitute.
“I would like to play‚ but I just have to wait for my opportunity‚” said the winger ahead of Saturday night’s crucial Absa Premiership clash for fourth-placed Chiefs against fifth-placed defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.
“Look‚ obviously I came back from an injury.
"The team was playing well while I was away.
“They were getting the results‚ you know – you can’t just change the team‚ because they were doing well.
“So I got back. I needed time to gel with the team.
"Which obviously there isn’t much time because you needed results.
“So the coach just chose different players‚ chose a different dimension.
"And I can say that all I have to do is adapt to that and try and work my way back into the team.
“It’s very disappointing for me. It frustrates me.
"But there isn’t much I can do – I just have to work hard and hopefully get a chance from team management to play again.”
Asked if he had been spoken to about his current situation by Komphela‚ Lebese said: “Like I said‚ my job is just to work hard on the field and if the coach sees that then hopefully I play if maybe he chooses a different formation or different player.
“I just have to work hard. I can’t question the coach’s decision.”
Asked if Komphela has explained what’s needed from Lebese to get back into the team‚ the player said: “What comes from him is just motivation.
“He sees me working hard. I just have to keep working hard to make the team.
“So we do speak. I just have to work hard. I put everything on me.” - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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