Duncan Lechesa

{{Short description|South African soccer player and coach}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Use South African English|date=August 2012}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Duncan Lechesa | fullname = Duncan Thaane Lechesa | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1976|7|26}} | birth_place = Bloemfontein, South Africa | height = | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Polokwane City F.C. (coach) | clubnumber = | youthclubs1 = Black Leopards | youthyears1 =2005–2006 | years1 = 2006–2010 | clubs1 = Free State Stars | caps1 = 81 | goals1 = 6 | manageryears1 = 2010–2011 | managerclubs1 = Carara Kicks | manageryears2 = 2011–2013 | managerclubs2 = Carara Kicks (assistant coach) | manageryears3 = 2013 | managerclubs3 = Polokwane City | manageryears4 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs4 = FC Cape Town | manageryears5 = 2014 | managerclubs5 = Royal Eagles F.C. | manageryears10 = 2023 | managerclubs10 = Venda F.C.<ref name="vfc">{{Cite web |last=DV |date=2023-11-10 |title=Duncan Lechesa is new head coach of VFC |url=http://www.limpopomirror.co.za/articles/sport/59333/2023-11-10/duncan-lechesa-is-new-head-coach-of-vfc |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Limpopo Mirror}}</ref> | pcupdate = 7 August 2014 | ntupdate = }}

'''Duncan Thaane Lechesa''' (born 26 July 1976) is a retired South African football player who as of December 2023 is the head coach of the National First Division team Venda F.C.<ref name="vfc" />

==Career== In a 15-year career, Lechesa played as a central midfielder for Bloemfontein Celtic, Ajax Cape Town, Black Leopards and Free State Stars before retiring in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Kick-off magazine|title=Lechesa calls it a day|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/16828/duncan-lechesa-could-go-into-coaching|date=21 July 2010}}</ref> Born in Bloemfontein, Free State, Lechesa began playing football with Bloemfontein Celtic's youth sides before signing with National First Division club Bloemfontein Young Tigers.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Sowetan|author=Moholoa, Ramatsiyi|title=Lechesa hangs up his boots|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2010/07/21/lechesa-hangs-up-his-boots|date=21 July 2010}}</ref> He started 24 league matches during his final season with Stars, winning the club's Player of the Season award.<ref name="FSS award">{{cite web|publisher=Kick-off magazine|title=Lechesa gets top FSS award|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/17314/duncan-lechesa-gets-top-free-state-stars-award|date=20 August 2010}}</ref>

After he retired from playing, Lechesa became a football coach. He was appointed manager of Carara Kicks in 2010.<ref name="FSS award" /> He had a brief stint with United FC in 2011, but returned to Carara Kicks.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=MTN football|title=Who is Duncan Lechesa?|url=http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/south-africa/news/2013/may/who-is-duncan-lechesaij.html|date=21 May 2013|access-date=30 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922135404/http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/south-africa/news/2013/may/who-is-duncan-lechesaij.html|archive-date=22 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lechesa joined Polokwane City in January 2013, and led them to promotion to the Premier Soccer League within six months.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Kick-off magazine|title=City: Finally the 35th Premiership club|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/35994/polokwane-city-confirmed-in-premiership|date=26 July 2013}}</ref> He parted ways with Polokwane City on 16 September 2013 after the club had lost their opening 4 games of the 2013–14 Premier Soccer League season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Polokwane City fire coach|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/polokwane-city-fire-coach-1.1578467|publisher=IOL|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> Lechesa was appointed the head coach of F.C. Cape Town on 22 October 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=FC Cape Town Appoint Lechesa|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/fc-cape-town-appoint-lechesa/139147|publisher=Soccer Laduma|accessdate=26 October 2013}}</ref> but resigned in March 2014<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/duncan-lechesa-resigns-as-fc-cape-town-coach/155910| title = Duncan Lechesa Resigns As FC Cape Town Coach}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lechesa, Duncan}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:South African men's soccer players Category:Soccer players from Bloemfontein Category:Bloemfontein Celtic F.C. players Category:Cape Town Spurs F.C. players Category:Black Leopards F.C. players Category:Free State Stars F.C. players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Polokwane City F.C. managers Category:South African soccer managers