Sports

Sutu speaks on Moerane, Rabale

Published

1 year ago

January 16, 2024

Lesotho football legend Thabane Sutu added his voice to the ongoing debate on Likuena goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane’s potential move to South Africa as well as Boitumelo ‘Queen’ Rabale’s successes on the continent with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sutu is one of the most decorated football players having been signed by Egyptian giants Al Ahly, in the early 1990s after impressing the club while playing for now defunct Arsenal in the CAF Inter club competitions.

After retiring, Sutu moved to the United States where he served several clubs such as MLS side and Orlando City as a goalkeeper coach, working with big names such as former Portugal and Manchester United winger Nani.

“I have been following our football closely as you mentioned and its thanks to livestream from FIFA, I’ve been able to watch almost all of our COSAFA games and I watched both games against Nigeria (what a great result that was) and Benin. I’ve also been in constant contact with coach, Leslie Notši. He’s a very good friend of mine,” he said.

“The first time I watched Moerane was against Cote d’Ivoire last year. I remember sending you a note about him and his performance in that game. He’s got immense potential. He’s athletic (not necessarily imposing physically, but he’s got presence), he’s quick, he’s got fantastic agility, his distribution, different method, is top drawer.

“He’s got the nous too. Perhaps his greatest attribute is his temperament. He’s even keeled! That’s so important in goalkeeping. I remember his penalty save heroics during the COSAFA tournament. Often goalkeepers will go crazy if they save a penalty kick. He saved three in a row, and he was ice cold after each save. Supreme levels of concentration and emotional control.”

Sutu said he is not surprised that Sekhoane is reported to be on the wanted list of big South African clubs and believes the LMPS goalkeeper is ready for a big challenge outside the borders of Lesotho.

“I’m not surprised to hear that the big guns are after his services. It was a matter of time. When the big teams come knocking then he’s got to listen and if the offer makes financial and career sense then he’s got to go, if not now, then when?

“Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime and he has to take them. When I signed for Al Ahly, I knew what I was getting myself into. Did I play as much as I would’ve liked? No. But the lessons I learnt from my time there were invaluable. I played with some of the greatest players in African football history Hossam Hassan, Ibrahim Hassan, Ahmed Shobeir.

“The sheer size of the football club, the pressure, expectations, winning mentality are some of the qualities I picked up during my time there and they’ve stood me in good stead in my coaching career.

“If he has a chance to sign for one of the big South African teams then he has to go. It’s hard to compare him to the goalkeepers we had in the past. The game has changed drastically since I played for instance. There’s more emphasis on goalkeepers being good with their feet (I was a decent infield player and, scored some goals for Arsenal back in the day), goalies are more involved in the build-up. When I played most goalkeepers didn’t even take their goal kicks.

“So, from a performance standpoint I think he’s more complete than the goalies we had back then. But from a pure shot stopping ability, we had an edge over him. The late Isaiah Phakisi, Tšeliso Thite and Retšelisitsoe Khetsi (and many others I didn’t mention) were supreme shot-stoppers,” he said.

Sutu, who was in goals as Likuena stunned Cameroon with a 2-0 victory at the old Setsoto Stadium in 1992, joined the football fraternity in celebrating Rabale’s successes and stated that she ranks among the best footballers to have played the game in the country.

“I have known about “Queen” for a long time, I remember talking to Meleshoane “Lash” Mokhathi about her a few years ago. I submitted her name to several colleges here but at the time she already played for Celtics Ladies and NCAA rules prohibited her from playing collegiately here,” Sutu said.

“NAIA have different set of rules though, she’s a terrific player, she’s got a wand of a left foot. She is one of the most decorated players, if not the one, to ever come out of Lesotho. There aren’t too many players, men, or women, who’ve won the CAF champions league even once in their lifetimes.”

Mikia Kalati

Sports

Ramakongoana off to World Athletics Championships

Published

3 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Lesotho Olympian Tebello Ramakongoana has booked a ticket to the 2025 World Athletics Championships after finishing second at the C&D Xiamen Marathon in China on Sunday.

Ramakongoana ran a brilliant race at the global event, and he finished in a Lesotho record time of 2:06:18 hours, just 12 seconds shy of first place.

Ethiopian Dawit Wolde secured title ahead of Ramakongoana in a time of 2:06:06.

Ramakongoana’s time has earned him automatic qualification to the World Championships set to be held in Tokyo in September this year and his performance in China took 1:40 minutes off the national record he set when he finished seventh at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

When speaking to local media, Ramakongoana’s American coach, James McKirdy, said the weather was warm but after 10 kilometres the sun appeared.

He said Ramakongoana ran a mostly strategic race with the focus to be amongst the front pack in the early stages of the race.

After 35km, the Olympian increased tempo and pushed the leading pack of 12 men that was a deciding point on who would make the podium.

From there the numbers in the leading group started to dwindle and with two kilometres to go, only four were in the running for podium places.

“(By) pushing hard, Tebello finished in 2:06:18 and earned 2nd place, both his time and his finishing position earned him the automatic standard for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo later this year,” McKirdy said.

“The Xiamen Marathon is an out and back course with moderate hills along the coast of China.

“Tebello’s time was also under the former course record and now sits as the second fastest time ever run for the event,” he continued.

The athlete is currently abroad in the United States where he is based and training.

He was Lesotho’s standout performer at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Ramakongoana finished fourth at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and he will hope to claim a medal at this year’s games scheduled to be held from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Ramalefane request unsettles Matlama

Published

3 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Matlama’s season, brimming with potential and promise, now teeters on the brink of unnecessary distraction due to the off-pitch antics of goalkeeper Monaheng Ramalefane.

His request to be released from his contract after losing his starting position to Leluma Mofoka has sparked a debate about professionalism, teamwork, and respect for contracts in football on social media.

Ramalefane’s behaviour should be a reminder that football is a team sport, not a platform for individual egos.

It is the timing of his letter as well that leaves a sour taste, with Matlama sitting atop the Vodacom Premier League and preparing for a crucial game against Majantja.

It’s a moment when the club needs unity, not controversy.

Yet, Ramalefane’s actions could undermine the club’s campaign.

What makes this scenario even more remarkable is Ramalefane’s history.

He once was the young shot-stopper, benching senior goalkeepers to become Matlama’s number one.

Now, with Mofoka in the ascendancy, Ramalefane appears unable to cope with the same competition he once thrived in.

Instead of embracing the challenge, he has chosen to walk away, which raises questions about his mentality and commitment.

Such behaviour is disappointing, not just for Matlama but for the broader Lesotho football community.

Ramalefane has been on the national team radar, with many believing he had the potential to be Likuena’s number one.

However, his antics, including skipping national team duties in the past, suggest a worrying trend of indiscipline.

Talent alone is not enough; discipline and a strong work ethic are equally important, qualities that Ramalefane seems to be lacking.

Matlama’s management need to act decisively to prevent his discontent from spreading within the squad.

Allowing such behaviour to go unchecked could set a bad precedent.

However, I do think this is an opportunity for the goalkeeper to reflect.

Rather than seeking an easy exit, perhaps he should consider the impact of his actions on his teammates and the supporters.

It would be best for him to put his head down, work hard, and earn back his spot.

With the fans, who have supported Matlama through thick and thin, he is unlikely to have many sympathisers on his side.

I think the fans would respect and love a player who fights for his place rather than one who demands special treatment when things don’t go their way.

Ultimately, this situation is a test for Matlama as a club and Ramalefane’s maturity as a professional.

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Double header at Bambata

Published

3 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

The Vodacom Premier League resumes this weekend after the Christmas break, and football fans are gearing up for what should be an exciting second half of the season.

Five teams are in the race to claim the coveted premiership trophy and the exciting title chase has seen scores of football fans flock to the grounds this season.

What makes the league’s restart even more interesting is the open January transfer window, which adds another layer of excitement as enthusiasts follow along as clubs hustle to bolster their squads for the business end of the season.

On the field, the action gets underway on Saturday when the first double header of the New Year takes place at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.

The first encounter will see Bantu, who are currently third on the log standings, take on bottom side ACE Maseru.

Title-chasing Bantu have an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Matlama to just two points with a victory, and ‘A Matšo Matebele’ would still have a game in hand.

ACE Maseru, other the other, remain winless this season and are rooted to the bottom of the table with only three points from 12 games.

As things stand, the premiership debutants require a miraculous turnaround if they are to avoid a swift return to the second tier.

In the second game of the double header, defending champions Lioli will take on another relegation threatened outfit in 15th-placed Mzamane.

A win for the champions would bring them within a point of leaders Matlama.

Matlama, for their part, have a difficult away game against Majantja in Mohale’s Hoek on Sunday.

Majantja, 10th on the log with 14 points, are aiming to finish in the top eight.

For Matlama, the match is critical to maintaining their lead but they will need to dig deep to secure maximum points on the road.

Elsewhere, Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) will take on Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in a rivalry clash at Ratjomose Ground on Saturday.

The match is vital for both teams for different reasons.

Third-placed LMPS, currently level on points with Bantu, need a win to keep pace in the title race while 9th-placed LCS are desperate to kick-start what has been a disappointing campaign by their standards.

Lifofane and Linare’s encounter in Butha-Buthe is another game to lookout for.

Struggling Linare, who are languishing in 11th-place, will hope to gain some momentum against a Lifofane side that is riding high in sixth place.

The patience of Linare fans is wearing thin and a win is imperative for ‘Tse Tala’ to retain their supporters’ trust.

Weekend fixtures:

Saturday 11th January
Lioli vs Mzamane (Bambatha 16:30) (Live on FIFA+)
LCS vs LMPS (Ratjomose 16:00) (Live on FIFA+)
Bantu vs ACE Maseru (Bambatha 14:00)
Manonyane vs Machokha (Nyakosoba 16:00)
Sunday 12th January
Majantja vs Matlama (Mohale’s Hoek 16:00)
LDF vs Liphakoe (Ratjomose 16:00)
Lifofane vs Linare (Butha-Buthe 16:00)
Lijabatho vs LU FC (Morija 16:00)

Tlalane Phahla