Moorosi Tsiane
FC Likhopo have criticised the way Premier League newcomers, Kick4Life, are attempting to sign striker Thabiso Brown.
Brown was playing for B Division side SK FC last season, but signed a pre-contract with Premier League side Likhopo and was expected to feature for the team in the 2014/15 season.
Likhopo had wanted Brown to replace Thapelo Tale, who is expected to sign for South African Premiership side Free State Stars.
However, Kick4Life are said to have indicated their intention to sign the 19-year-old player, who is also a key member of the national under-20 side, Makoanyane XI.
According to sources close to the deal, the Maseru-based Kick4Life have promised to better what Likhopo are offering the player.
Kick4Life communications and marketing manager, Ramafahla Thamae, confirmed to the Lesotho Times they are negotiating with Likhopo for the player’s services.
“It’s true that we are interested in Brown’s services, but we have also learned that he had already signed a pre-contract with Likhopo. But we are currently in negotiations with them (Likhopo) for his services,” Thamae said.
“The talks are still on-going, so I cannot say much on the issue as some of the information might be sensitive.”
Likhopo manager, Qamako Mahao, however, said the club had never received any official offer for the striker.
“Kick4Life have not made any official offer for Brown; we only got text message from one of their officials, telling us that they are interested in him but the team has not made any official offer to us for him.
“We find the way Kick4Life officials have treated this matter to be very unprofessional and unethical because they have looked at his contact and promised to offer him much more than what we have given him. They should not have done something like this because this is unfair and unprofessional. We are willing to release him but only if Kick4Life are willing to buy him out of his contract,” Mahao said.
Meanwhile, to ensure their stay in the elite league, Kick4Life have boosted their squad by signing the Lioli duo of striker Pitso Monne and defender Tokelo Majoro on one-year deals.
The club is also negotiating with Matlama for the services of goalkeeper Sello Thetsane and striker Motlalepula Chabeli.
The team has also promoted winger Lesia Thetsane from their development side and signed goalkeeper Mashai Masoabi from B Division side Tšosane Killers.
Kick4Life are also expecting to re-call their midfielder, Khosi Mafisa, from Sky Battalion.
