Sports

‘We want to win trophies’

Published

5 years ago

October 22, 2019

MASERU – Bob Mafoso couldn’t have imagined a better start to life as the man calling the shots in Mafeteng. After three games in the new Econet Premier League season, Bantu have a perfect three-win record and two weekends ago celebrated an impressive and always-welcome 2-0 victory over rivals Lioli.

Even Mafoso himself couldn’t have scripted things better since he was appointed in August to replace the most successful coach in the club’s history – James Madidilane.

Helpfully, Mafoso is no stranger to Bantu having worked as Madidilane’s assistant coach during two success-laden years between 2016 and 2018 before he decided to take the Kick4Life head coaching job last May.

After leading Kick4Life to fifth place in the Econet Premiership last season, Mafoso was head-hunted by ‘A Matšo Matebele’ to take over the reins from Madidilane who left Bantu with two league titles and an Independence Cup in the trophy cabinet.

Understandably, at a club of Bantu’s stature and expectations, all eyes are now on Mafoso. ‘A Matšo Matebele’ want to wrestle the league title back from Matlama after finishing second last season.

Is Mafoso the man to lead the Mafeteng giants to glory? Will he keep his star-studded squad happy? Can he satisfy Bantu’s ever-demanding fans?
thepost caught up with Mafoso on Monday as he prepared for Bantu’s next assignment, a league fixture against Lifofane next Wednesday against . . . , and he was unfazed.

His mission at Bantu, Mafoso says, is simple – to win trophies.
thepost: What has been the reason behind your fast start to the season?
Mafoso: I think the first thing is that this is a team that was already prepared. They are a group of players that have played together for some time; there are not a lot of things that we changed.

The transition wasn’t that bad, it could have still been better; there are players that I don’t know and I am seeing for the first time here. They weren’t at the club when I was here, but I am not complaining.

(When it comes to) the performance we cannot say the machine has been fluid or say things went the way we wanted, but we got the results even when we didn’t play well, although our last game I think we did well.
I think that’s what has made us to not struggle too much so far.

You have been at Bantu before, was it an easy decision to come back?
Kick4Life has had a hand in what I am today. To leave them in the middle of a project was not an easy decision but, honestly, I always knew I want to come here – where I am now.

As much as we might think it was not difficult (to leave Kick4Life), it was also not easy. (Bantu is) where I wanted to be but, at the same time, I was still happy where I was. Everybody wants to come here, it’s one of the biggest jobs in the country but I wasn’t complaining where I was.

Who are your main competitors for silverware this season?
In terms of squad, we have a good team but quite a number of teams have better squads with seasoned campaigners. You cannot rule out Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) at any time, Lioli is a big team, Matlama are league champions, Kick4Life has a squad that is going to push teams, you can’t rule out Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

It is still early days but you cannot discount last season’s top six teams. Teams like Liphakoe are well coached, Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) as well. It’s still a long way (to go); a lot of teams are going to do well.

What has impressed you the most about your start to the season?
The level of professionalism I found here is top. We have players that are always willing to work, we have players that know they have worked very hard to be where they are and you don’t see any sign of a drop-off.

The work ethic from the players is impressive and you cannot leave out the supporters, we have some of the most passionate supporters in the country who are pushing for everything. The management is always on top of their game. They are always trying to make things happen, so you can say the whole system is pushing everyone to work hard.

What do you want to achieve at Bantu during your contract?
I would like to keep the team where it was when I got here, that’s to say, if I have failed, the team cannot drop in terms of standards, in terms of achievements, perhaps of last year.

They have their mandate but as a coach as well I came here because I want to win things. One aim I have is to make the team play the way we want to coach it. Two: can the team be as successful as it was in the past years. Those are my big targets, to make sure that we don’t drop in terms of the standards.

Lindokuhle Phungulwa is still out with an injury. Is the midfielder a big miss?
Yes, it is a big miss, he is the captain. When I got here he was one of the captains. We have three (club) captains. You become a captain because you are one of the influential players, you are a leader.

It’s a miss that we don’t have a leader of that stature in the team but, at the same time, I think we are blessed that the quality in this team has made it impossible to look like we are missing him.

But, in terms of style of play, you can see his absence; but like I said, those that are here have stepped up and took the responsibility. The quality we have is helping otherwise it would be a lie to say you don’t miss your captain or Lindokuhle to be specific.

What are your targets for this season?
When people talk they say Bantu has quality players and I agree with that but the pressure now is to manage that quality.
These players are winners; I came here to win trophies. I always say that the chances of winning trophies are higher at this team, so the target is to win silverware: try to win everything we are playing for.

Tlalane Phahla

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

4 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

4 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