Duncan Lechesa

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.^[1]

Duncan Lechesa

Personal information
Full name	Duncan Thaane Lechesa
Date of birth	(1976-07-26) 26 July 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth	Bloemfontein, South Africa
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Polokwane City F.C. (coach)
Youth career
2005–2006	Black Leopards
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2010	Free State Stars	81	(6)
Managerial career
2010–2011	Carara Kicks
2011–2013	Carara Kicks (assistant coach)
2013	Polokwane City
2013–2014	FC Cape Town
2014	Royal Eagles F.C.
2023	Venda F.C.[1]
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 August 2014

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.^[2] 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.^[3] He started 24 league matches during his final season with Stars, winning the club's Player of the Season award.^[4]

After he retired from playing, Lechesa became a football coach. He was appointed manager of Carara Kicks in 2010.^[4] He had a brief stint with United FC in 2011, but returned to Carara Kicks.^[5] Lechesa joined Polokwane City in January 2013, and led them to promotion to the Premier Soccer League within six months.^[6] 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.^[7] Lechesa was appointed the head coach of F.C. Cape Town on 22 October 2013,^[8] but resigned in March 2014^[9]