Lebo Mothiba placed in unique bracket by Hugo Broos

Mothiba has not been part of the Bafana setup since 2019, before he suffered a long-term injury, when he last played at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt under then-coach Stuart Baxter.

Following his recall, Broos explained that the Strasbourg forward brings a different dimension to their play, which will be key going to a tournament like the continental championships in Ivory Coast next year.

"Lebo is the type of player we don't have, the type of striker we don't have. He's tall, powerful, and we don't have a striker that can keep the ball, with the type of power like him," said Broos.

"I was still surprised to see that in training too – not surprised to see it, but I saw him playing in Strasbourg, and now I see him live and it's different in a good sense.

"So, I'm very happy that he's here, and I'm very happy with that kind of striker, and he will also have his play time, maybe not [against Namibia] but certainly against DR Congo."

Having kept an eye on Bafana from a distance, the 27-year-old Strasbourg forward says a lot of progress has been made in the current squad.

"It's a young team, but very talented with very good players, and they also have a good attitude – at training, they work hard, listen to the coach and they give everything because, as you know, it's been their dream to represent the country," reflected Mothiba.

"That's why at training, they're working very hard. It's true I [haven't] been here for – when last did I come to the national team? It's four years ago. 2019 was my last game.

"For me, the difference between the old squad and the new one now, I think the young ones have that motivation because they want to do well and show people what they're capable of. They have a very bright future and I'm very, very happy for them."