Former Al Hilal Omdurman star Makabi Lilepo is returning to African club football after the Congolese attacker completed a transfer to South African giants Kaizer Chiefs from French club Valenciennes.
The 27-year-old arrives for a transfer fee estimated to be a little over $500,000. After reports over the weekend from French media hinting at a transfer, the news has gained steam and is reportedly over the line if not officially announced by Kaizer Chiefs. Lilepo spent two seasons in France with Valenciennes, providing 3 goals and 3 assists in 32 matches during the 2023-24 season as VAFC were relegated from Ligue 2 to the third tier Championnat National.
Lilepo is better known in African football for his time with Sudanese giants Al Hilal. The youth product of Kinshasa club AS Vita Club was a star with Hilal during their 2022-23 CAF Champions League campaign, scoring 5 goals as Hilal came just short of qualifying for the knockout stages.
His rise to stardom came under the tutelage of current Hilal coach and compatriot Florent Ibenge, known for identifying talented Congolese players to sign at the various African power clubs he has coached in his career. Previously, Lilepo represented the DR Congo domestic-based national team coached by Ibenge at the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) where the Leopards reached the quarterfinals.
An explosive attacker who likes to operate on the wings, Lilepo gained the attention of Al Hilal through strong performances at Congolese side Renaissance du Congo after failing to find regular playing time with the AS Vita Club senior team. Kaizer Chiefs and head coach Nasreddine Nabi will hope that Lilepo can boost an underperforming AmaKhosi attack that has gained notoriety for poor finishing.
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