New Lesotho League boss sets out vision

Lesotho’s newly elected Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) chairman Hubbard Monaheng has promised that they will work hard to bring back the sponsors into the league, writes Tlalane Phahla.

Monaheng, who also serves as Matlama’s deputy president, was elected unopposed on Friday evening after Mosa Seoli withdrew from the race at the last minute.

Monaheng acknowledged they are coming into the office at a difficult time and have to deal with the effects of the pandemic.

Speaking with FARPost after winning the elections, he promised that they would support women’s football and the development of players and bring back more competitions for clubs to play for.

“Covid-19 was very rough on everybody, but you know one thing it helped us with is resilience. So we come off it stronger, and we promise to bring back more competitions because that is where teams benefit most,” he said.

“Bring in more sponsors into the league so that we ensure that at least the players of every team across the league there is a stipend they get to help them achieve their goals, be competitive.

“We are striving to professionalise soccer so that the players can be full-time. Support women’s soccer and development. That is the goal,” he continued.

Seoli served one term as the league chairman and was seeking re-election.

He came under fire after the clubs accused him and his committee of losing the sponsors, including Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) and Matekane Group of Companies (MGC).

Both these companies sponsored Top Eight and Top Four, respectively. The bigger clubs had already made it clear they wanted to see change and were confident they had lobbied enough support to overthrow him.

Justifying his withdrawal, he cited a lack of support from the clubs’ presidents and said he has had to deal with their juniors most of the time.

He also said he wants to focus on his commitment as Mazenod Swallows president. It is unclear why he waited until the election day to withdraw, but many felt he knew he would lose anyway.