Ex Leicester Khanya Leshabela makes debut in dramatic cup defeat as former Barnsley midfielder decides
Khanya Leshabela (24) made his debut for Cape Town City this afternoon, coming on as a sub after 68 minutes. The former Leicester recruit has finally found a new club, moving back to his native South Africa, to continue career under the guidence of Eric Tinkler, previously a midfielder at Barnsley during their heydays of English football.
This was a game in the cup, Cape Town City reaching the last 16 of the tournament, giving Leshabela the trust to take a penalty in the shoot outs, but sadly missing his shot, the game ending 1-1 at full time, ending 1-3 in the shoot outs.
The Khanya Leshabela return to South Africa, became reality after his Leicester release in the summer. A few few trials here and there did not turn into anything, but gladly his football journey now continues back in his home country.
Cape Town City ended 3rd in the top flight last season and currently 2nd in the table, so this should be a good move for the former Leicester midfielder. His time at Leicester lasted 10 years, joining the club as far back as 2013, seen as a grand talent and one we believed could have taken the full step into becoming a first team regular.
During the 2020/21 season he made his debut in Premier League, coming on as a sub in the 81st minute in the
5-0 win vs. Sheffield United. He also made the bench in five Premier League games that same season. Leshabela was praised by Brendan Rodgers after making his debut, as we all believed that we would see more of the young talent.
He then joined Shrewsbury Town on loan for the 2021/22 season, not really having a great spell, playing only 3 league games, and then moving on to Crewe Alexandria to try to continue the process, playing 10 league games for The Railwaymen, before returning to Leicester in January last year, playing a central role in the u.21 set up, until his final release in the summer.
We wish Khanya Leshabela all the best on his football journey, and hopefully more chances will appear as the 24 year old have signed for one of the top clubs in his home country, and could hopefully get the game time needed to progress to a level that he deserve.
