RC Strasbourg striker Lebo Mothiba could not hide his delight after earning his first national team call-up since the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
In what is the first selection since the appointment of Hugo Broos, Mothiba last featured under Stuart Baxter at AFCON in Egypt, where they reached the quarter-final stage.
However, two separate knee injuries severely stalled his career for club and country but it appears he’s back to the form that made him a fan favourite at the Ligue 1 club.
“It’s always a pleasure coming back to South Africa, I’m very happy, it wasn’t easy to come back with the injury I had but now I’m happy that my knee has healed, I’m feeling much better,” Mothiba said about his return to the national team.
“I didn’t do a pre-season in three years, it was my first with Strasbourg and the pre-season went well. I’m very happy about that and so happy to be back in South Africa and with the group.
“It wasn’t easy [watching from the outside] each time you watch your country, you want to be there, you want to represent your country and you want to help them, you know? Win games…
“But also me being injured, watching from the bench, not playing, you want to play obviously, so it wasn’t easy [this last two years] but mentally you need to be positive, keep pushing and remain patient, it’s what I did and I’m happy now to be here.”
Broos echoed his happiness about the robust striker being with the squad, saying since he’s been able to see him at close quarters, he’s made an even bigger impression ahead of the upcoming games against Namibia and DR Congo.
“You know I said when he was in the selection of the squad, Lebo is the type of player we don’t have, the type of striker we don’t have, he’s tall, powerful, we don’t have a striker that can keep the ball, that has the power of him,” Broos said about seeing him in training for the first time.
“I was still surprised to see that in training, not surprised that I see it but watching him for Strasbourg and seeing him live, it’s different, in a good sense. I’m very happy he’s here, I’m very happy for that kind of striker and also he will have his game time against Congo.”
