Mamelodi Sundowns winger George Lebese says he is not taking the game against Kaizer Chiefs personally and revealed that he will celebrate against his former team if he scores.
Sundowns host Kaizer Chiefs in a mammoth Absa Premiership encounter on Tuesday evening at the Loftus Versveld Stadium and the encounter marks a special occasion for Lebese, who will come up against his former team for the first time since completing a move to Masandawana.
“I am not going to take this match personally, it’s not about me, but about the club,” Lebese told The Star.
“It’s possible for me to put everything aside. I’ve been avoiding talking to anyone at Chiefs for the past two weeks.
“That’s how crucial this game is. I have been ignoring their calls. I don’t want to speak to them before the game. We’ll catch up after the game. That’s been working so far,” he added.
Lebese credited Chiefs for his development, but highlighted that he has a job to do for his new team.
“I respect Kaizer Chiefs. They are a big brand. They taught me everything I know. But at the end of the day, it’s entertainment.
“It is about me and where I am at right now. I am in a happy place. So if I score, why not,” he added.
The Mamelodi-born man admitted that donning the Sundowns jersey after a nine-year stay with Chiefs was initially weird, in addition to speaking about Pitso Mosimane’s side’s elimination from the Caf Champions league.
“It felt kind of weird at first, wearing another jersey. It hasn’t really sunk in. I have to work my way up and try to catch up with the great players who are here.
“It’s been great so far. I can’t complain. I think that if I spend more time with the great people, great coach and wonderful technical staff here, I will get used to it.
“The guys didn’t take being eliminated in the Champions League too well, because they had expectations to make the final.
“I was also disappointed not to have gone that far with the team. I was really looking forward to retaining the Cup.
“It didn’t happen. We have another opportunity to go back there next year to fight for the club and the country,” he concluded.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix
-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za
