logo
Soshanguve's Mothiba embraces being second-oldest player in BAL

Soshanguve's Mothiba embraces being second-oldest player in BAL

The Herald20-05-2025
'The presence with the team is with my leadership style, some of the guys gravitate to me whenever they need advice, be it basketball or personal,' Mothiba said.
His basketball CV is unmatched in the country, and he also helps fight social ills in his community through his company, Beyond the Arc, which focuses on youth development through basketball.
Mothiba is a former SA national team captain and has made appearances in the 2005, 2007 and 2009 African Championships, as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
At club level, he has had stints for Pretoria Heat, Egoli Magic, Jozi Nuggets, Soweto Panthers and Tshwane Suns.
He had the luxury of watching his current employers grow through the ranks of SA Basketball.
MBB has progressed from a social club to a professional powerhouse.
And now, together with MBB, which he joined in 2024, he is attempting to help his team qualify for the BAL playoffs in SA in June.
As for his teammates, he has pressured them to deliver in the Nile Conference in Kigali so that they return to SA to compete in the playoffs on home soil.
The SA team need to win two or three of their remaining games and construct a superior points difference.
'We wouldn't be human if we didn't think about that,' Mothiba said.
'Of course, it's being talked about within the camp, but the coaches try to make sure we don't think ahead and that we focus on the task at hand — making it through the Nile Conference.'
Daily Dispatch
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Stormers to face crack French team in Bay
Stormers to face crack French team in Bay

The Herald

time9 hours ago

  • The Herald

Stormers to face crack French team in Bay

'This is sure to be another big occasion against one of the top club teams in the world and we are looking forward to experiencing the vibrant atmosphere in Gqeberha once again.' Stormers chief executive Johan le Roux said after the success of last season's match in Gqeberha, the challenge would be to go even bigger and better this time. 'Our Investec Champions Cup match in Nelson Mandela Bay last season was a fantastic experience for all who were there and we want to build on that,' he said. 'With the DHL Stadium not available for this fixture, we are thrilled to be able to call Gqeberha home once again.' Mandela Bay Development Agency chief executive Anele Qaba said his team and the people of Gqeberha were ready to put on a show. 'We saw last year how much it means to the residents of our city and the entire province to watch top-tier rugby and the Stormers are bringing us another blockbuster in the Investec Champions Cup,' Qaba said. 'I am pleased that the stadium met the Stormers' expectations last year and, as a result, they are able to consider Nelson Mandela Bay as an alternative venue for their games. 'Hosting this game at the stadium would bring a significant boost to the tourism and hospitality sector. 'The game will also assist the stadium in generating revenue and contribute towards the annual target as set by the municipality. 'We are confident that together we can improve on what we achieved last year in every way.' Tickets go on sale in October, with Stormers season ticket holders able to buy at a 50% discount. The Herald

Uncle Shapes' debut development tourney a resounding success
Uncle Shapes' debut development tourney a resounding success

The Herald

time9 hours ago

  • The Herald

Uncle Shapes' debut development tourney a resounding success

Only two bouts went the distance in Uncle Shapes Boxing Promotions' debut seven-bout boxing development bill at the Lilian Ngoyi Sports Centre, Kwazakhele, on Sunday. The main bout in the supermiddleweight division over six rounds between Gqeberha's Aphile Baxa and Lithalethu Sodinga from Plettenberg Bay, and a four-round bout between Sibusiso Mkolo of Glenmore and Gqeberha's Asiphe Nqumatana in the featherweight division, needed the judges' scorecards. There was nothing to write home about in the Baxa-Sodinga fight, which Baxa won by a unanimous points decision from judges Phindile Ngingi, Vuyokazi Ncata and Prince Mbambaza, with scores of 59-56, 58-56 and 60-54, respectively. The fight between Mkolo and Nqumatana was the best bout of the tournament. Both boxers fought like their lives depended on it. They threw leather hammer and tong from the first bell, but it was southpaw Mkolo's ringcraft and calculated moves using the parameters of the ring that helped him throw more telling blows. In the other bouts, all scheduled over four rounds, Gqeberha's Ayabulela Mashibhini carried too much artillery for his homeboy Siphosethu Madasi, whom he stopped in one minute and 25 seconds of the first round in their featherweight fight. Lelethu Bolo from Gqeberha stopped Mxhoba Paraffin, also from Gqeberha, in the third round of their mini-flyweight fight. In another mini-flyweight fight, Luzuko Jonas beat Siphosethu Qakamfana (TKO2). Sipho Adonis of Plettenberg Bay overcame Andile Lutoli in the mini-flyweight (TKO2), and in the first bout of the afternoon, in the middleweight division, Lisakhanya Marenene, from Gqeberha, took two minutes of the second round to stop Kirkwood's Lukhanyo Kume. An upbeat head of Uncle Shapes Boxing Promotions, Mashapi Ngcukana, said he was pleased his maiden boxing tournament had been a resounding success. 'I gave more boxers from Nelson Mandela Bay a chance to make their official entry into the professional ranks. I'm happy we had a good tournament,' Ngcukana said. The Herald

Springboks' major positional problem emerges
Springboks' major positional problem emerges

The South African

time10 hours ago

  • The South African

Springboks' major positional problem emerges

When it comes to the Springboks, one area where there has always been a seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of talent is at loose forward. However, in recent times, some warning lights have begun to flash. Since the 2023 World Cup, and the retirement of Duane Vermeulen, the Springboks have found the No 8 position to be somewhat problematic to fill with consistency. Yes, Jasper Wiese has emerged as a standout in this position, but ill-discipline and injuries have taken a toll, and it's an area where depth – and a like-for-like replacement for Vermeulen – has been hard to come by. At blindside flank, the Springboks have had the world-class Pieter-Steph du Toit to rely on, but again, the lack of true quality back up has been evidenced by someone like Franco Mostert having to again fill in on the side of the scrum. Similarly, Siya Kolisi is the understandable custodian of the No 6 jersey – but in his absence – it's still not crystal clear as to who the next best would be. As if to evidence this point, the Springboks will line up for this Saturday's must-win match against the Wallasbies with a back row combination that would have been virtually unfathomable just a few weeks ago: 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden. Yes, the Springboks have been unfortunate with injuries to talented youngsters Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom, but when it comes to the back row balance and depth, it's increasingly evident that this is a worrisome area just two years away from the next World Cup. The goal of Rassie Erasmus and the coaches is to have two players of almost equal interchangeable quality in every position, but it's in the loose trio where this is proving to be increasingly difficult to find after the retirement of Vermeulen, and as Du Toit and Kolisi head towards their mid-30s. South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman,3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store