Linda Motlhalo


Linda Maserame Motlhalo is a South African football midfielder. She plays for Djurgardens IF in the Sweden and the South Africa women's national football team. She is also known as the 'Randfontein Ronaldinho'.

Early life

Linda Motlhalo was born in Brandvlei, Northern Cape, on 7 January 1998. Her family has a footballing history, with her father Johannes Motlhalo attempting to become a professional player. Although he failed to do so, his brother Joseph Motlhalo became a goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs F.C. between 1970 and 1985.
She attended TuksSport High School, during which time she was part of the South African High Performance Centre in Pretoria.

Club career

Houston Dash, 2018

On 1 February 2018 Motlhalo signed with the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League. She was brought in by Dash head coach Vera Pauw who coached the South African national team from 2014–2016. Motlhalo made 21 NWSL appearances for the Dash and scored 1 goal.
Motlhalo was waived by the Houston Dash on 6 February 2019.

Beijing BG Phoenix F.C., 2019

On 22 February 2019 Motlhalo was unveiled as a player of Beijing BG Phoenix F.C. in the Chinese Women's Super League, joining her South African and former Houston Dash teammate Thembi Kgatlana who also made the move to China.
Motlhalo started all 14 league games for Beijing across the 2019 season as the team finished fifth in the CWSL, playing the majority of the campaign in a deeper central midfield role. She also helped guide Beijing to a semifinal finish in the Chinese Women's Championship.

Djurgardens IF, 2020 – present

On 18 January 2020 it was announced that Motlhalo had joined Swedish side Djurgardens IF on a two-year deal, subject to receipt of her working visa.
Motlhalo made her debut on 22 February 2020, scoring twice after coming on as a substitute in a Stockholm derby victory over AIK.

International career

While attending the High Performance Centre, she played for the South Africa women's national under-20 football team as a forward. This included in matches as part of the 2015 African U-20 Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
Motlhalo was called up to the senior squad for the first time in October 2015, following an injury to Thembi Kgatlana which caused her to be withdrawn from the team. Motlhalo did not play at the time, but instead made her debut against Cameroon in 2016, in which she scored in the 2–2 draw. She said, "I am just happy to have been part of this team. The senior players have made me feel at home and it was good to rub shoulders with the likes of Janine and Amanda. I really enjoyed my time here."
In 2016, Motlhalo attended the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, before playing the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon as part of the Banyana Banyana side.
At the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana, Motlhalo started all five games for South Africa as the team reached the final of the competition before losing to Nigeria on penalties. She scored one goal at the competition and was named Player of the Match during her side's semifinal encounter with Mali.
Motlhalo attended the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with South Africa but came into the tournament struggling with injury. While she started the side's opening game with Spain, the remainder of her tournament was limited to a late substitute appearance against China.

International goals

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1
29 March 2016Stade Municipal de Limbe, Limbe, Cameroon
1–1
2–2
International Friendly
2
25 November 2016Stade Municipal de Limbe, Limbe, Cameroon
5–0
5–0
2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations
5
17 September 2018Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele, South Africa
1–0
6–0
2018 COSAFA Women's Championship
6
17 September 2018Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele, South Africa
5–0
6–0
2018 COSAFA Women's Championship
7
17 September 2018Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele, South Africa
6–0
6–0
2018 COSAFA Women's Championship
8
20 September 2018Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele, South Africa
1–0
2–0
2018 COSAFA Women's Championship
9
21 November 2018Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Cape Coast, Ghana
1–0
7–1
2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations

Honours

International