Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed his hope that Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba will be able to play some minutes before the current season concludes.

Mothiba joined Sundowns in March as a free agent. However, he has yet to make an appearance for the team, with coach Cardoso explaining that they need to be patient with the player as he recovers from a long-term injury.

Since his departure from Strasbourg at the end of last season, Mothiba underwent multiple assessments by Sundowns.

His time at the French club was significantly affected by persistent injuries, which ultimately led to his release by former Arsenal captain and Strasbourg coach Patrick Vieira.

The 29-year-old Mothiba, who has been recovering from a knee injury, last played a competitive match for Strasbourg against Lorient in December 2023, coming on as a substitute for Kevin Gameiro.

“I hope so,” said Cardoso when questioned about the possibility of Mothiba playing before the season ends. “Because Mothiba is a quality player, a high-quality player who unfortunately comes after a long period of absence from competitive football due to a significant injury and a lengthy recovery.”

Cardoso added, “Since he joined us, he has experienced minor setbacks, unrelated to his previous injury, as we work to condition his muscles to respond appropriately.”

Should he regain full fitness, Mothiba will face competition for a starting position at Sundowns from a strong lineup that includes Peter Shalulile, Tashreeq Matthews, Iqraam Rayners, and Arthur Sales.

Sundowns currently lead the Betway Premiership table with 61 points after 24 matches, holding a commanding 12-point lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have two games in hand.

Cardoso emphasized the club’s approach: “So, he is a player that we need to treat with care. And we are very willing to do so. He is a wonderful person and human being, and we are happy to have him with us.”

“But we need to provide all the necessary conditions for his full recovery so that he can help us in the future,” Cardoso continued. “I still have expectations that he can contribute before the end of the championship.”

Providing further insight into Mothiba’s progress, Cardoso stated, “[On Friday], the players who were not with us in Cape Town [against Cape Town City] joined the training session with the DStv Diski Challenge team, and he played for two 30-minute periods without any issues.”

“We are patient, and he is patient, although he is also anxious. But we know what we need to do, and we will work together to ensure he can rejoin us in the future,” Cardoso concluded.

Mothiba, who has also played for Lille (winning the Coupe de la Ligue), Valenciennes, and Troyes in France, has scored four goals in 14 appearances for Bafana Bafana.

His last international appearance was in October 2023, in a friendly match against Ivory Coast.

He is fondly remembered by South African football fans for setting up Thembinkosi Lorch’s winning goal against hosts Egypt in the round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at Cairo International Stadium. However, Bafana Bafana’s journey in that tournament ended in the quarter-finals against Nigeria.