Interestingly, the team he might be joining is Rollers. Since the last two seasons, Motlhabankwe has been linked to sides like Notwane, BDF XI and Rollers but the move never materialised as he opted to stay put at Gunners. In January, Motlhabankwe nearly moved but it is understood that both Gunners reached an agreement with the hard-working midfielder to help them to sustain their Premier League status. Sources close to Rollers have revealed that when the transfer window opens on June 25, Mapalastina will definitely go for the Gunners' captain who they see as the replacement for former Rollers' star Dennis Kaelo. This is despite the fact that Motlhabankwe might move to the South African Premier League after attending trials with Supersport United and Moroka Swallows.
In an interview with Mmegi Sport, Motlhabankwe said: "I'm not sure whether the interest from Rollers still stands. But I'll wait until the transfer window opens to decide." He admitted that it has been difficult to be part of Gunners during the last three seasons. Gunners have always found themselves in a precarious position and it was the fighting spirit of the likes of Motlhabankwe, Teenage Tsalaile, Othusitse Mahube, Offace Pitso, Bushy Tuaka and Ross Motswagae that bailed them out. "The problem with Gunners is that every season they lose a number of key players. Then they bring in some inexperienced players who take a long time to settle down. Even this season, there are some players who are likely to leave," he told Mmegi Sport.
Motlhabankwe said it would be important that they beat Rollers to keep the team in the top-flight football league. "We must beat Rollers, especially that they humiliated us in the first round (Rollers won 4-1), a game which I missed. It was painful to see Rollers embarrassing us. It will be good to win because there are some people who have been attacking us saying that we want to send the team to the lower division," said an emotional utility player. Against Rollers, Gunners have to win or draw to keep their position in the 2007/8 Premier League.
Gunners' spokesperson Kitso Dlamini said that what he knows is that Motlhabankwe is waiting to hear from a "South African club where he recently had trials". But he did not rule out the possibility that some local clubs might come knocking on the door looking for his signature as well. "It would be sad to see him leave but it would be nice if he went across the border, because he will certainly improve," he told Mmegi Sport.
