Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba has revealed the true reason why he was spotted at the Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village.
Mothiba reveals why he met with Kaizer Chiefs
Chiefs are still in the market for a prolific, reliable goal-scorer and Lebo Mothiba’s name was thrown into the hat during the winter window.
Mothiba stated that his much-publicized visit to Naturena was not to discuss a transfer transfer but rather a business venture. The forward has established an agency in South Africa to scout and develop young talent for European clubs.
He explained that the agency will collaborate with his European agent to identify and nurture promising South African players.
Via FarPost:
“I have an agency now in South Africa…,” he told FARPost. “It’s me and my brother … but we work with the boss himself, Ludo, my agent.”
“He’s based in Europe. He’s so prominent in Europe that he works with big clubs, such as PSG, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Napoli.
“I told him there’s so much talent in South Africa. For me, South African players deserve to play in Europe’. It pains me to see South African talent go to waste. Or that talent not making it in Europe.”
Fluent in French, nurturing local talent
Lebo Mothiba made the move to France in July 2014 from Diambars FA. The Johannesburg-born marksman was also briefly on the books of Sundowns as a youth player. Since his move to France, Mothiba has turned out for Lille, Valenciennes, Strasbourg and Troyes. Strasbourg is where he made his name, becoming fluent in the language and installing himself as a fan favourite in the Northeast of the country. Mothiba has 14 caps for South Africa and four goals, but his last appearance in national colours was in October 2023. He wants to provide opportunities for young South African footballers to showcase their skills on the European stage. By leveraging his connections and experience, Mothiba aims to bridge the gap between SA and European football.
Presenting his agency
“I decided to open that agency, and my brother and I would run it. We’ll scout players for Ludo in South Africa. We’ll look for the best young players in South Africa and tell him about them so that we can take them to Europe. It’s easy for him to bring any players to Europe.
“He can speak to the clubs in Spain, France, and Germany because he has a lot of connections in Europe.
“That was my goal…. That’s my project after football. I’ll be working with my agent. I’ll be taking South African players to Europe.
“That’s why I was at the [Kaizer Chiefs] village; I went there to present the agency and who I’m working with. When I was there, I told them why I was there.
“While I was there, we got to speak to Ludo, and he told them who he was. After that, I saw everywhere that Lebo was at the Village, and it’s a done deal.”
Mothiba is fit and firing again but a Kaizer Chiefs move is off the table
After a string of unfortunate injuries, especially in his knee, the 28-year-old is fit and ready to find a club again.
“Right now, I would say the injury is finished, and I’m done with rehabilitation. I am back. I’m 100 per cent fit,” he said.
“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.”
Is Mothiba ready to return to the fold for Bafana?
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