The conversation Lebo Mothiba had with Patrick Viera after joining Strasbourg
Bafana Bafana and RC Strasbourg Alsace striker Lebo Mothiba has revealed the conversation he had with the legendary Patrick Vieira after the latter was appointed head coach.
Vieira, the French football legend, joined RC Strasbourg ahead of the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season as the club was aiming to improve from last season’s performance. Last season, they finished 15th in the log standings.
The 27-year-old Mothiba has been at the club for quite some time after linking with them back in the 2018/19 season coming from Troyes.
The striker’s progress at the club has been disturbed by injury setbacks, especially the knee injury he sustained in 2021.
WHAT LEBO MOTHIBA AND PATRICK VIEIRA SPOKE ABOUT
According to Mothiba, Vieira said he’s part of his plans at the club since he’s been there for a long time and knows the league very well.
“He [Patrick Vieira] knew me. When he came to Strasbourg, he called, and we spoke. The strikers that were there were leaving some of them, recruiting new players, young players,” said Mothiba.
“He knows me because he came to South Africa in 2010 because I was playing for the academy called Diambars [Football Academy], and he was part of that academy.
“He spoke to me saying, ‘Lebo because you’ve been here for a long time and you know the league, I want you to stay. ‘I will give you confidence, and I will give you game time. I believe in you with the qualities that you have in keeping the ball and making those runs behind the defence. That’s what we need’. From there, we did the pre-season.”
LEBO MOTHIBA DESCRIBES THE KIND OF PERSON PATRICK VIEIRA IS
Mothiba further disclosed the kind of coach Vieira is, describing him as a humble and kind person.
“He’s a legend; obviously, everyone knows Patrick Vieira, he’s a great coach, he’s calm and chilled like coach [Hugo Broos], he doesn’t shout. He’s humble, he’s kind and has a good relationship with the players,” he added.
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