On Sunday, 28 January 2024, South African Linda Motlhalo bid farewell to her teammates in Scotland as she prepared for new life in the USA where she is going to join Racing Louisville in the NWSL.
The Banyana Banyana midfield genius made her last appearance for Glasgow City in the Glasgow Derby against bitter rivals Celtic, which City won 1-0.
Playing the entire match, Motlhalo’s side needed only 15 seconds to get on the scoresheet, which proved to be the winner.
After 34 games and four goals to boot, the nimble-footed player left Petershill Park with a League Championship medal after making her debut in 2023.
She also made an appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Glasgow City are the defending champions in Scotland, and have had a fine run since the start of the season, with 14 wins from 18 matches. They have drawn twice and lost the same number of games, leaving them third on the 12-team table on 44 points – just two behind second-placed Celtic. Rangers lead the pack on 52 points.
This will be Motlhalo’ second stint in the US – she previously played for Houston Dash in 2018 before moving to China’s Beijing BG Phoenix (2019) in China, Djurgardens (2020-23) in Sweden and Glasgow City in Scotland.
During her time at Houston Dash – which was her first professional contract – she featured in 19 matches, scoring just once.
Motlhalo could make her debut for her new employers on Saturday, 16 March when they host Orlando Pride in the first match of the season, with former team Houston Dash lying in wait on Match Day 2 (Saturday, 23 March).
The NWSL has a 26-match schedule played over 25 weeks (excluding cup competitions) – in total, each team will play 13 league matches at home and 13 away.
MATCH DAY 1:
Saturday, 16 March
vs. Orlando Pride
Lynn Family Stadium
MATCH DAY 2:
Saturday, 23 March
vs Houston Dash
Shell Energy Stadium
But before playing her first match in the US, Motlhalo is expected to join the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad that will face Tanzania in a crucial third-round Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier between 19 – 31 February.
There have been five meetings previous between the two countries and South Africa has dominated the encounters with as many victories. The last faced each other in August, 2014.
South Africa vs Tanzania – Head to Head:
23 July 2006
CAF Women’ African Championship
3-0
04 August 2006
CAF Women’ African Championship
4-0
31 October 2010
CAF Women’ African Championship
2-1
20 May 2012
International Friendly
5-2
31 August 2014
Friendly
6-1
In the other stream, Ghana takes on Zambia, while Tunisia faces Morocco.
The fourth and final round of the Olympic qualifiers is scheduled for April where either Nigeria or Cameroon will be the next opponent for South Africa or Tanzania.
Only two spots are available for countries that will represent Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games scheduled for 24 July – 10 August.
By Matlhomola Morake
