Linda Mntambo taking Sekhukhune United return in his stride

The former Orlando Pirates midfielder last featured for Babina Noko in February last year, before being forced to undergo surgery, which ruled him out for nearly 12 months.

Now that he’s got two games under his belt, Mntambo, 34, admits it will take some time to for him to get back to his best. 

"Confidence wise, baby steps. I still need to work on match fitness and getting my groove back, so I think it's [about taking it] game by game, trying to improve from every game that I play," said 'Figo'.

"It was always not going to be easy. I was anxious throughout the camp going into the game, but I knew that with all the training I had been doing, and the coaches helping me with their instructions, I just had to follow what they wanted on the day.

"And without the help of my teammates, I don't think I could have had it easy on the day if it wasn't for them, they've supported me very well."

Mntambo highlighted that the support behind the scenes also played a crucial in his road to a full recovery. 

"The medical team have been helping me to make sure that I come back strong, and a lot of other people – my family as well, friends, they've all shown support to me and I think that made it easy for me," he noted.

"I've come back from a long lay-off, and mine was to just go out on the pitch and do what I do best."

Mntambo returned to find a new coach at the helm in Lehlohonolo Seema, but he adds their relationship is part of the reason why he won’t find it difficult to blend in after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 

"One of the things I possess is adaptation. I think I adapt very well to new environments, but the coach has been helping me a lot," he added.

"We've been having one-v-one video sessions on my training sessions, the friendly matches I've played, and he's helping me a lot with the analysis team to improve my game."

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