AFCON 2019: Bafana Bafana's Lebo Mothiba on tucked in shirt style and story behind it
Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba has finally addressed one of the most talked-about subjects of AFCON 2019, his tucked-in shirt. Mothiba is widely regarded as one of South Africa's most promising strikers in recent memory, netting four goals in his first 11 caps. However, after a memorable season in Ligue 1, several detractors have emerged following his displays in the group stage of Egypt 2019. But against the host nation on Saturday, his performance as the lone striker highlighted the key role he'll develop in the national team, as a robust targetman that allows the more skilful players around him to enjoy more freedom to express themselves. Mothiba hustled and hurried the central defenders of The Pharoahs at the Cairo International Stadium and provided a perfect assist for the historic Thembinkosi Lorch winner. But his shirt, oddly, has been one of the bigger talking points amongst fans on social media. "I took that mentality when I was young. You know‚ when you were young you used to put the shirt inside the shorts‚" he said at the national team's hotel. "I took that mentality and said‚ 'Okay‚ I'll keep this and grow with it', so it's from when I was young until now. And everyone is talking about it, even in France. "People are always talking. They say‚ 'Hey‚ look at that one, 90 minutes with his shirt in'." When pressed whether he would consider changing his unique look at any point in his career, the 23-year-old answered with real conviction. "Never. Never‚ never‚ never. No‚ I'll just keep it the way it is‚ and stay simple‚ and never change. This is my style‚" he said. The Strasbourg attacker added that it's not only his personal style but something that aids him against defenders. "You know the tights, there are tights and shorts [over]. I put my shirt under the tights. That's why it's hard for a defender to pull it out." Mothiba will be aiming to replicate his impressive performance in the quarterfinals when Stuart Baxter's men take on Nigeria on Wednesday at the National Stadium.