Mikia Kalati
Jane ‘Sunny’ Tšotleho’s quest for a dream move to Bosnian outfit Fudbalski Klub Velež Mostar failed to materialize last month due to the club’s financial troubles, the Lesotho Times has learnt.
The 24-year-old forward, who plays for Wilmington Hammerheads in North Carolina in the United States’ third-tier league, spent one week on trials at the Bosnian giants.
Tšotleho is currently in Lesotho sorting out his US visa and told the Lesotho Times that he had since put his Bosnia disappointment behind him and would be joining American second-tier side Richmond Kickers.
“My contract with Wilmington Hammerheads has just expired and a number of American teams were keen on my services. But I decided to join Richmond Kickers, who are a much bigger team,” Tšotleho said.
“But I’m still confident of clinching a deal in Europe. What happened in Bosnia is that the team really wanted to sign me, but the owner went bankrupt and everything fell apart.
“The coaches at Mostar said they were impressed with me from day one and promised to come back for me if their finances improve.”
Tšotleho, who made his national team debut in June last year against Liberia, is training with Lioli to maintain his match-fitness while he awaits his US visa.
“I’m very happy to be moving to a bigger team, but my dream, like I said, is to play in Europe. I believe this is possible because I am only 24, so time is still on my side.”
‘Sunny’, as the midfielder is popularly called at Wilmington, also said he was happy to be home, but expressed doubt he would play for any local side.
“I really don’t know if I will play for any local team at some point, but it is always good to be home with family and friends,” he said.
“If my visa is not issued before Christmas, then that will be the first time since 2004 that I get to spend Christmas in Lesotho.
“It is also good that I have been training with Lioli and the national team as it gives the new coach (Moses Maliehe), a chance to assess me because I would really be happy to play for my country again,” he said.
Tšotleho has not been part of the national team since playing two games at the regional Cosafa tournament held in South Africa early this year in which Lesotho crashed out in the group stage.
