Free agent Linda Motlhalo urged to return abroad

The player is currently a free agent after parting ways with USA outfit Racing Louisville just one season into a two-year contract she signed in 2023.

The public broadcaster earlier reported that Motlhalo was training with Hollywoodbets Super League side JVW FC to keep fit, and Dludlu says coming back to South Africa would be career regression.

"Looking at Linda Motlhalo, she's only 26, she had a good career starting off in America with Houston Dash, moving to China and I think one of her best seasons was when she was playing in Sweden," said Dludlu.

"I thought she was going to stay in Europe a lot longer and then we saw her moving to Glasgow [City] and there it was a bit easier for her.

"And I guess going back to the US looked like a better option, however, she didn't really get game-time there and you could see when she came to play for Banyana, her performance wasn't as great and she wasn't the same player we're used to seeing.

"So seeing her train in the off-season, I think it was expected that Louisville would offload her because the Africans in that team have been getting game-time, except her.

"But I just hope that she goes back overseas, to a better team that will suit her style of play – not as a defensive midfielder, she's an out-and-out number 10 and can play as a half-winger as well.

"So if she goes back overseas, her agent should be looking for a team where she's on the ball a lot more and works hard because I don't think coming back to play in SA would do her good, especially with us not having a professional league.

"With the WAFCON that we need to defend, we need all our players having game-time, being strong on the ball and being able to play the type of football that would help them defend their title."

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