Lebo Mothiba provides injury update

After a year on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury, Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba has provided a much-anticipated update on his progress.

The setback suffered during Strasbourg FC’s Ligue 1 clash against FC Lorient in December 2023 not only robbed him of the remainder of that season but also cruelly denied him the chance to represent Bafana Bafana at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where his compatriots secured a commendable bronze medal.

Following the injury, Mothiba underwent surgery and embarked on an intensive rehabilitation programme.

While sidelined, the former LOSC Lille hitman, who has spent his entire professional career in France after leaving South Africa in 2014, became a free agent upon his departure from RC Strasbourg in July.

Following his arrival from Lille in 2018, Mothiba spent six seasons with Strasbourg. During his tenure at the French club, he made 96 appearances, contributing 20 goals and six assists.

Since he has been unattached, Mothiba has been the subject of intense speculation regarding his next move, with a flurry of rumours linking him to various clubs in SA and abroad.

In the PSL, the names of Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have been mentioned as potential suitors. Meanwhile, overseas, interest has reportedly emerged from Clermont Foot 63 in Ligue 2, Standard Liège in Belgium, and Karlsruher SC in Germany.

BACK TO FULL FITNESS: LEBO MOTHIBA READY TO PLAY

With his next destination still unknown as he continues to maintain his fitness by training with Strasbourg, Mothiba has declared himself fully fit and ready to return to competitive football.

“Right now, I would say the injury is finished, and I’m done with rehabilitation. I am back. I’m 100 per cent fit,” said Mothiba in an interview with FARPost.

“But I was struggling to get a team, not struggling per se, but all the teams here in France they are like, ‘Lebo listen, you still not the 100%, so we can’t take you’.

“So, but now I’m 100% back. I have no pain in my knee, even after my training sessions, because I’m still training with Strasbourg, doing everything with Strasbourg with the team.

“And every time I’m done with training, I don’t have pain in my knee anymore like before. So I would say I’m fully back now, 100 per cent fit.”

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