Linda Motlhalo: I had to toughen up in Scotland

Reflecting on the transfer from Sweden now, the 25-year-old is a league winner with Glasgow City and representing her country at the FIFA World Cup this month.

Motlhalo explains why it took time to find her feet.

“The first few months, it was really difficult because of the weather, the language barrier and the system that they play. But as time went on, the coach really helped me a lot and the players as well and I adjusted very well,” Motlhalo said.

The switch came on the back of Motlhalo helping Banyana win the WAFCON in Morocco and being crowned African champions.

She says she’s had to toughen up in Scotland.

“The difference between Sweden and Scotland is in Sweden they are more physical and in Scotland it’s not that much you know and they are more of, they play one touch game. I can do that,” she added.

“The things that I had to adjust to would be like gym like what they do, I never used to lift weights and that’s what I’m doing now. Like I said, the system, it was just me asking questions and trying to understand what is needed from me.”

On the World Cup, where Banyana will face Sweden in their opening match on Sunday with fixtures against Argentina and Italy to follow, Motlhalo wants to see an improvement from their tournament debut in 2019.

“We’ve won the WAFCON and that’s the confidence booster for us. The players have been doing well in their teams and coming here with that confidence boosts the team. So, we definitely have to do better this world cup.”