Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo is delighted to be back with her former team, Glasgow City in Scotland.
The nimble-footed star was unveiled by the club on Friday (14 February) following an unhappy season-long spell at Racing Louisville in the USA. She has been handed squad number 20 for the season.
“I’m so happy to be back, this place brings back a lot of great memories. Glasgow will always be like a second home. When I first left Leanne and all the staff said if you ever want to come back this will always be home. I didn’t even think twice when they called to say I could come back. When that happened I told my agent that’s where I’m going,” Motlhalo told the club’s Media Department.
The Randfontein-born player recently parted ways with her American employers where she spent 2025, but was mainly unused in the entire campaign. She admitted that she has a lot of catching up to do as she has been out of action for a while, while the Scottish league is a coming to an end.
“I’ve come at a time when it’s really hectic and I’ve just come in from off season so it’s going to be demanding for me to catch up but I’ve been watching the games and I like the direction of where the team is going.” she said.
While waiting for her next move, Motlhalo returned to her former club, JVW FC in the Hollywoodbets Super League, to stay fit, under the watchful eye of new head coach, Janine van Wyk, a former Glasgow City player.
”I’ve been training with Janine (van Wyk) at the JVW Academy. She’s been really helping me stay in shape. From the start of my relationship with Glasgow City she has always been there for me and even now I really appreciate her,’ she added.
Motlhalo, who left the reigning Scottish Women’s Premier league side in January 2024, received a warm welcome upon her return.
”Linda is someone I know well from her time with the club previously and I’m excited to see what she will bring into the squad. When the opportunity to bring her back to Glasgow City came along it was an easy decision to make,” head coach Leanne Ross told the club
“A player with undoubted quality, Linda will bring an experience on the pitch and a personality off it which can only help us as we continue to work hard to achieve our goals for success this season.”
Prior to her departure from Scotland, Motlhalo made 34 appearances with four goals to her name. She has previously played for Houston Dash in the USA, Beijing BG Phoenix in China and Swedish Damallsvenskan side Djurgårdens IF.
She will be remembered for her assist when she laid the final pass for the Glasgow to lift the league title.
The move to return to action will no doubt please Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis who has been watching proceedings with keen interest as she needs all her top players in tip top condition as they will be looking to defend their WAFCON title later this year in Morocco.
Motlhalo has made 83 appearances for Banyana Banyana.
The experienced midfield maestro has been to two FIFA World Cup tournaments – with Banyana Banyana in France in 2019 and in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. She scored her first ever World Cup goal in the latter competition in the 2-2 draw against Argentina.
Motlhalo played at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
By Matlhomola Morake
