The newly elected President of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), Lijane Nthunya, has promised a transformation of the country’s football landscape, outlining an ambitious agenda that seeks to breathe new life into every corner of the game.

Addressing journalists this week, just days after his narrow victory over long-serving LeFA President Advocate Salemane Phafane (KC) at the 20th LeFA Congress, Nthunya said his leadership would be defined by inclusivity, accountability, and visible progress on and off the pitch.

He defeated Phafane by 27 votes to 24, ending nearly two decades of Phafane’s reign.

“I have come to be a servant of football. My goal is to elevate Lesotho’s football landscape from its current state and to foster its growth,” Nthunya declared, signaling a leadership approach focused on action and community engagement.

At the core of his sweeping reforms is a plan to revive competitive football activity across the country. Nthunya announced that LeFA will reintroduce major domestic tournaments such as the Top 8, Top 4, and the once-popular Top Mount Inter-District competitions, long considered vital for talent exposure and fan engagement.

He said these competitions will not only restore excitement to local football but also create platforms for players to showcase their skills and attract professional opportunities.

“Our football must be alive in every community. We want every district and village to feel part of the national football ecosystem,” he said, underscoring his commitment to grassroots and community-based development.

Nthunya also vowed to tackle one of the sport’s most pressing challenges, inadequate resources and infrastructure. He revealed plans for every district to have at least one LeFA-standard football pitch, similar to those already completed in Mohale’s Hoek and Leribe.

However, he urged local authorities to take responsibility for maintaining and managing these facilities.

“Infrastructure is the backbone of football development. We cannot rely on just a few venues for national competitions,” he noted.

Recognising the financial strain faced by many clubs, Nthunya proposed that LeFA facilitate partnerships between local teams and sports equipment suppliers to ease operational costs and improve professionalism.

“Clubs are struggling with limited resources. Forming strategic partnerships is essential if we want our teams to grow and compete,” he explained.

On the international front, Nthunya expressed his intention to strengthen Lesotho’s football ties with developed nations such as England and Spain. He said these partnerships would focus on technical exchanges, coaching education, and youth training programmes that can help modernise the country’s football systems.

He also announced plans to engage the government on resolving long-standing issues surrounding Setsoto Stadium, which has repeatedly failed to meet CAF and FIFA standards, forcing the national teams to play home matches abroad.

“Our football continues to be played outside the country amidst a struggling economy. With government support, we can change this narrative,” he said.

Beyond infrastructure and competitions, Nthunya emphasised transparency and open communication with the public and media, areas that have previously drawn criticism toward LeFA.

In a rare show of candour, he condemned the decision to bar journalists from covering the recent congress.

“It is unacceptable that such a significant event was not covered by the media. I pledge to work closely with journalists to ensure LeFA’s activities are open and transparent,” he vowed.

Nthunya’s rise to the LeFA presidency comes after years of persistence. Having previously lost to Phafane in 2021, he said his victory this time reflects a growing appetite for change among football stakeholders.

“After my defeat in 2021, I returned to the drawing board and remained steadfast in my message. I believe that message is now being fully grasped by the football constituencies,” he reflected.

His election, witnessed by representatives from FIFA, CAF, the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC), and the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), marks a defining moment for the country’s football leadership.

• The newly elected President of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), Lijane Nthunya, has promised a transformation of the country’s football landscape, outlining an ambitious agenda that seeks to breathe new life into every corner of the game.
• Addressing journalists this week, just days after his narrow victory over long-serving LeFA President Advocate Salemane Phafane (KC) at the 20th LeFA Congress, Nthunya said his leadership would be defined by inclusivity, accountability, and visible progress on and off the pitch.
• He also announced plans to engage the government on resolving long-standing issues surrounding Setsoto Stadium, which has repeatedly failed to meet CAF and FIFA standards, forcing the national teams to play home matches abroad.

Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.