Could Bafana Bafana’s near-forgotten striker Lebo Mothiba be getting back to his best?
It seems that could be the case judging by his recent performances for his French Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg.
Although he’s been limited with game time, Mothiba has been showing some promising signs for Strasbourg this season.
He’s made 16 appearances in the league in the current campaign, with only two of those being from the start.
However, Mothiba has still been productive whenever given the chance, scoring three goals so far this season.
The 27-year-old was on the scoresheet for Strasbourg at the weekend. He scored a brilliant header in their 4-3 defeat to Monaco.
LEBO MOTHIBA OVERCOMES INJURY NIGHTMARE
The South African is trying to restart his career after it was hampered by injuries in the last two years.
He spent over a year and a half on the sidelines with knee and hamstring issues. His parent club Strasbourg didn’t give up on him. They handed the South African a new contract last year before sending him on loan at ESTAC Troyes.
The idea was for Mothiba to regain his match fitness and sharpness at a club that would afford him ample time to work his way back to tip-top shape.
He was recalled from that loan spell and has since impressed at Strasbourg despite his limited game time.
LEBO MOTHIBA EYEING A RETURN TO BAFANA BAFANA
Mothiba will hope to keep up his scoring ways this season as he eyes a return to the national team. He fell down the pecking order due to injuries.
Mothiba was one of the key players for former Bafana coach Stuart Baxter. The bulky forward was crucial at the 2019 AFCON, where Bafana reached the quarter-finals.
He’s been unfortunate since then, however, with injuries making it almost impossible for current coach Hugo Broos to get a proper look at him.
But should he be able to build some momentum, Mothiba could well be on the plane to the Ivory Coast next year for the Afcon.
The former Lille and Valenciennes forward might not have been part of Broos’ squad that sealed qualification, but he will be eying a spot at the AFCON finals.
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