Mamelodi Sundowns striker Lebo Mothiba has explained his unique playing style, which he admits is somewhat different from what is typically seen in South Africa.
Mothiba joined Sundowns in March 2025 as a free agent after parting ways with French Ligue 1 side RSC Strasbourg at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Despite not having featured in any of the Betway Premiership matches, the 29-year-old played in the CAF Champions League as well as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA>
In an interview on Radio 2000 Sport Show, Game On, Mothiba described himself as more of a target man.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STRIKER EXPLAINS HIS PREFERRED STYLE
“It’s true. My style of play is totally different from, let’s say, South African players,” said Mothiba. “In South Africa, they want shugela [flair], that’s not me. I am more of a target man, a target striker. So I am always there between the two centre-backs, making them work.
“I don’t drop a lot because if you drop, they will drop with you, and the middle will be crowded. So I keep them far away from coming to the midfield to open that space for the midfielders to play,” he added.
LEBO MOTHIBA BELIEVES SOUTH AFRICAN PLAYERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED IN THE WORLD
The Bafana Bafana striker has also described his Sundowns teammates as some of the most gifted players technically.
“You know, Sundowns players technically [are gifted], even the national team. Technically, they are so good,” he declared.
“I used to tell them in Europe that you guys don’t know football. You need to come to South Africa because here we have raw talent.
“So that’s why they used to be angry at me. They used to ask, ‘Have you won the World Cup? So stop talking’,” Mothiba.
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