Mikia Kalati
VETERAN Likuena midfielder Mabuti Potloane is weighing his options with three teams after his signature ahead of the start of the 2017/2018 Vodacom Premier League season.
The 2013/14 Player of the Season, who has been with Matlama for the last two seasons, this week told this publication that three clubs including the latter were all interested in securing his signature.
“I have not signed with any team at the moment but Matlama is also an option for another year,” Potloane said, adding, “We have had talks but nothing has been finalised due to my busy schedule with the national team”.
He said his home team, Linare, who groomed him, have also shown interest in bringing their former captain back to the club.
Another club that has contacted him is Kick4Life.
However, Potloane said his decision would be influenced by the target of the club, particularly to win the league as this remained his dream before he hangs his boots.
“I have six losers’ medals for major competitions and it is a dream for me to have won the league title before I retire.
“My decision in choosing a new team will be influenced by a club’s project going forward. I am at an age where I need to play regularly and win trophies.”
Potloane was among outstanding individuals during the 2013/14 season that nearly helped Linare end a long drought for a major trophy only to lose out to Bantu in the race for the league title.
They also lost the final of LNIG Top 8 to Lioli in the final in that season but the midfielder’s individual brilliance saw him win the Player of the Season award.
The midfielder also spoke about the criticism he has faced after his selection into the national team despite an injury-plagued 2016/17 season.
“You cannot always be perfect as a footballer and you have to take the criticism that comes with it.
“Constructive criticism helps to improve me as a player and I took it as motivation to work harder.
“In the end I was very happy to have shown that I deserved to be selected into the national squad with my performance against Zimbabwe coming from the bench where I helped the team give Zimbabwe a run for their money in the semi-final at the COSAFA Cup though we were unlucky to lose that game.”
The midfielder also thanked Likuena coach Moses Maliehe for backing him when he was going through a tough time.
