Moorosi Tsiane
LIOLI interim president technical Moses Maliehe has said the signing of Lifofane midfielder Monaheng Velaphe and Liphakoe defender Patrick Nyarko is the beginning of many others to come as they are determined to revive the team.
Tse Nala announced the signings of the duo last weekend with Velaphe signing a three-year contract while Nyarko signed for a year.
Maliehe told the Lesotho Times on Monday that their intention is to turn Lioli into a ruthless force similar to the 2009 and 2017 generation.
“The signing of the two players is just a glimpse of what we want to do with this team,” Maliehe said.
“In the last three seasons we have just been an average team and that must change now, hence we are trying to bring in players whom we believe possess the quality we need.”
The former Likuena coach said more players would soon join Lioli during the current window period while several others are set to leave.
Lioli have already parted ways with defenders Tšeliso Ramathe, Shetsane Ramoseeka, Tšeliso Lekhooa, midfield maestro Bushy Moletsane and attacker Phillip Obrien whose contracts ended in June this year.
Defender, Lebohang Sheleng asked to be released from the team with a year left on his contract.
“The plan is to revamp this team and we will be releasing more players while some contracts that have expired will not be renewed.
“We are also still negotiating with other players whom we want to bring to the team and once everything is finalised, we will unveil them,” he said.
Maliehe said they are searching for a right back, a striker and an experienced goalkeeper.
“We must sign a right back to compete with Mafa (Moremoholo) because he is the only right back currently. We still have to sign at least two strikers and at least one midfielder.
“Our performance dipped in the past season and the team was struggling. In our evaluations, we realised that the problem was we have been using a tired squad while others have aged.
“This i8s why we are bringing in Velaphe who is still young although he does not have much premier league experience. He will be joined by experienced players… We are also negotiating with his Lifofane teammate John Mofokeng and we are hoping he will join us soon,” Maliehe said.
