Bantu chairman John Leuta with actors of popular South African soapie Muvhango during the BAntu Gala dinner last year
. . . adds glitz and glamour to top of the table clash
Mikia Kalati
PREMIER league giants Bantu have lined up South African soap opera stars Bontle Sithole and Cornet Mamabolo as high profile guests for their top of the table clash with bitter rivals Lioli at Setsoto stadium on Sunday.
Sithole is best known for her character Busi on SABC 2’s Muvhango and Mamabolo plays Tbose on SABC1’s Skeem Saam.
Bantu chairman John Leuta this week told the Lesotho Times that they were bringing the television stars to the big match as part of their strategy to attract a big crowd and improve their brand as a club.
He said their mission was to give local football a new dimension in their quest to become a fully-fledged professional outfit.
“We can only achieve that if we have big crowds but our supporters must play their part by maintaining discipline always,” Leuta said, adding, “We want to be the best brand in this country and be a force to be reckoned with”.
He also said the stars would also feature at the club’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
This is the second time that the Mafeteng side have brought stars from the neighbouring country after they brought the Muvhango duo of Sindi Dlathu and Dingane Mokebe to their gala dinner last year.
The 2014 edition of the dinner was graced by South African national soccer team captain Itumeleng Khune and his Kaizer Chiefs teammates George Maluleka and George Lebese.
“First of all I should inform you that we have a good relationship with most of the television stars from South Africa and they have shown interest to be part of our brand.
“Having them for our big match on Sunday is about attracting a big crowd especially the youth as they love these stars”.
He said the roping in of television stars “was something that is being done in South Africa so we decided that it can also help us grow financially”.
“We want to involve them in promoting our sponsors as well and we are working on having another big event and many television stars have shown interest in participating.”
A Matšo Matebele head into the match on pole position, albeit having played a game more.
Two points separate the sides and a win for the Mafeteng side will certainly boost their chances of wresting the country’s biggest football prize from Lioli who won back to back league titles over the last two years.
