The experienced attacker has been out of action for months after sustaining a knee injury but is now almost ready for action
Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba has stated he is not aware of interest from the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs who are rumoured to chase the experienced attacker.
The 28-year-old was recently released by French Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg – after his contract expired, partly due to his unfavorable injury record that has seen him miss high-profile games for both country and club.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos was forced to play the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations without the influential forward who suffered a knee injury at the end of the year, and since then, Mothiba has not played any competitive football.
Why Sundowns are reportedly chasing Mothiba
The Premier Soccer League champions have a sweet tooth when it comes to players, and with a busy 2024/24 season coming, they will definitely be keen to add some quality up front.
Peter Shalulile has been the main goal-scorer for Masandawana, but last season, he had a drought that made his team struggle upfront. Lucas Ribeiro also sustained an injury making Rhulani Mokwena sweat in his bid to get an effective replacement.
Having made more than R122 million in profits last season and with R1 billion on the way after the team's qualification for the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup, the Brazilians, surely, will not have problems paying Mothiba.
He will offer a solution to the attacking department and the scoring burden will not be solely on him.
Chiefs need him more, but will the Glamour Boys go for him?
As opposed to Sundowns, the Soweto giants should be the ones pushing for the services of the striker.
Ranga Chivaviro, Jasond Gonzalez and Christian Saile have failed to provide goals consistently for Amakhosi and the pressure goes back to other departments especially the defense.
With a new coach coming in, it is obvious he will be aiming at improving the forward line and may wish to have Mothiba up front. He is one player who can help the team stand a chance of ending the trophy drought that has lasted nine odd years.
However, will the Motaungs take a risk on a player who can't guarantee a full season without an injury?
But wait! Mothiba is not eyeing PSL return – ‘My focus is playing in Europe'
The versatile attacker insists he will have potential suitors in Europe but his objective currently is to fully recover and denied having knowledge about rumours linking him to Downs and Chiefs.
“I will always have offers in Europe, I will always have clubs in Europe,” Mothiba told the Safa media department.
“Now I am only focused on my knee injury. Healing and coming back fully fit, that’s why ever since I came back to South Africa, I have been focused and working every morning, every day. I am only off on Sundays, so I have been working every day.
“Here in South Africa, I don’t know anything about [a move]. I have not spoken to any team here in South Africa; I don’t know what is happening. But my main focus is healing my knee, coming back, and continuing playing in Europe.”
Mothiba further revealed the exact date he is hoping to return if all goes as planned, “In three or four weeks, I will be fully fit. So that’s why I just have to continue working and not rush anything,” he continued.
“I must not rush anything. I must take things step by step because sometimes, if you rush, you might injure yourself again, and you will be out for a long time. That’s why I am taking things step by step; hopefully, in three or four weeks, I will be ready for pre-season in Europe.”
