George Lebese is taking too long to acclimatise because of the way Sundowns play, says Pitso Mosimane

When the 2017/2018 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season first began much was expected from George Lebese as he made the switch from Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns towards the end of the July/August transfer window.

However, the 28-year-old winger has since failed to live up to his potential at Chloorkop and has had to settle for a place on the bench with the likes of Themba Zwane limiting his playing time. Lebese's time on the pitch has also not been fruitful as his performances have also not endeared him to the Sundowns faithful, leading to much criticism.

Nonetheless, Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has explained why Lebese has struggled at the club. The 53-year-old believes that the Mamelodi-born winger is yet to acclimatise as the style of play at Sundowns is very different to Amakhosi.   

“He is taking too long to acclimatise because of the way we play,” Mosimane was quoted by Sowetan as saying.

“He understands all the movements we do and all that but you must also understand that the three attackers we have upfront goes into the break quicker.

"We go out with Tau‚ Billiat and Vilakazi quicker and it is not the way he was used to play for nine years. He is playing on the side on the line and we don’t play on the line‚ you have to come inside like Themba Zwane.

"He is a winger but he comes inside and go forward and when we defend you know that Hlompho Kekana is going to go deeper,” he added

Mosimane though believes that Lebese needs a little more time to find his feet at the Tshwane giants.

“He needs to adjust to that and that is the difference and you have to give him the chance because he does not want to lose the ball,” he said.

"At Sundowns it’s very difficult to make the bench‚ if you understand and we are giving confidence to touch the ball," he concluded.