Maseru, Apr. 02 — The Lesotho Senior National Team, Likuena has received more support from local businesses after beating Seychelles to reach the Afcon 2027 group stage qualifiers.
The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) President Mr Lijane Nthunya revealed at the dinner banquet held for the team by Member of Parliament (MP) for the Thaba- Bosiu Constituency and Lekope FM Owner, Mr Isaac Malebaleba at Lesotho Avani, that each member of the Likuena squad will receive M1000 from SIMA Communication, through a pledge made by Mr Sipho Masholugu.
“We made a promise to you that LeFA working together with our Ministry will reward you once you have qualified for the group stage and now, I tell you that, you have the right get that money,” LeFA President said.
“On top of that, as you heard me saying that this event has been graced by Lijabatho President, Mr Sipho Masholugu from SIMA Communications, who has been impressed by your efforts and has made a contribution to give each and every player in the squad M1000.
“Now you can see that when you show commitment and humility in your work, the hard work gets rewarded and my request to you is to continue to make Basotho proud and more good things will come your way.”
It was during the same ceremony, where Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr. Motlatsi Maqelepo announced that Likuena will get financial support from the Ministry when the group stage qualifiers begin.
“President, I don’t want to announce today how much I’m going to give you for the CAF group stage, but there is somewhere I am going to tap and we will have another platform like this to make that announcement, I will announce how much I’m going to give you” Mr. Maqelepo said.
The Sports Minister also made a vow to have Setsoto Stadium hosting international matches again and stated that he is working hand in hand with the LeFA President as well as the LSRC President Mr Baba Malephane.
“But I want to tell you, working hand in hand with ntate Nthunya and ntate Baba and others, we have a full budget, and we will work together to make sure that Setsoto returns to meet the required standards of CAF.
“This thing of playing our games in Bloemfontein is very painful. As a country we have lost the pride, we lost the economic benefits that when the stadium is full, small businesses would be able to make money, but all of that needs to be fixed,” he said.
Ends/PM/tl
