JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 09: Lebo Mothiba during the International friendly match between South Africa and Namibia at Orlando Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns are believed to have presented a six-month contract to South African striker Lebo Mothiba, and the Siya crew finds out how the Brazilians are expected to have secured him until the end of the season.
The insiders have indicated that while the contract is initially short-term, there remains a possibility for a longer-term agreement beyond this period. As previously reported by the Siya crew, Sundowns were expected to finalise their decision regarding Mothiba this week.
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The Siya sources added that the club’s decision to offer a short-term contract was influenced by a desire to assess Mothiba’s fitness levels and monitor his recovery from past injuries.
“There are many factors that the team looked at. The first was that they needed another outright striker to add to the already available ones and in case Peter Shalulile leaves then they have a replacement at the club already. But (by giving him a) short term contract, looks at the fact that he has not played in a long time and although he has experience, they are not sure what he can do on the field of play because training is different from an official game,” said the Siya source.
“Then they also have to monitor and see how far he can remain injury-free before they can commit to a long-term contract because that involves money. When he is injured while still under contract the club should take care of that. So the six months contract, for now, is like the club protecting themselves from unnecessary expenditures and also playing it safe,” the source added.
A second insider stated the Brazilians have given Mothiba assurance that exceptional performances during these six months could lead to a long-term contract.
“If he does well scoring goals and remaining fit during these six months then there is light at the end of the tunnel for a longer contract. It’s all in his hands. The ball is in his court to win himself an extended contract at the end of the season if he does well and remains injury free. Normally they would want a striker to score at least 10 goals in a season but because its from January then they could reconsider that but still he has to score a good number of goals to win over management and the technical team for a long-term contract at the end of the season,” the second source stated.
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The 28-year-old last played actively for French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg during the 2023/24 season, where he featured in many games before being hindered by injury. Having been a free agent since July 2024, Mothiba was linked to Kaizer Chiefs, a potential move which did not materialise before Sundowns are now understood to have presented him with a short-term contract.
Soccer Laduma contacted Sundowns for comment but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
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