Leemisa Thuseho
DESPITE leading Lijabatho to their historic maiden Vodacom Premier League (VPL) title, coach James Madidilane says his future at the club remains uncertain.
Although the South African tactician harbours ambitions of guiding the team in the 2026/27 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, he admitted he was unsure about what lies ahead next season.
“I do not know where the future will take me from here, but if I am still here, the goal will be to go as far as the group stages of the CAF Champions League,” Madidilane said in an interview after Lijabatho’s final league match against Matlama over the weekend.
Madidilane joined the Morija-based outfit in December 2024 on a two-year contract and has since guided the club to their first-ever league championship.
While acknowledging that his contract with Lijabatho remained valid (with about seven months remaining), Madidilane hinted at internal challenges experienced during the season, although he declined to elaborate.
“The contract is still standing, but because of some of the challenges we had, someone may decide otherwise. We will wait and see what is going to happen.
“Sometimes people forget that this is our work. As coaches, this is our career and we need proper support — support that shows people are truly behind you and not supporting you in a doubtful way.”
Having coached in Lesotho since before the start of the 2016/17 season, Madidilane described the recently-ended campaign as one of the toughest of his career, especially considering that Lijabatho are still viewed by some as a relatively small club.
“This was a hell of a season. When I look back at it, I feel like crying. But I have to grow because anything that does not kill you must make you stronger and help you make the right decisions.”
Despite the difficulties, Madidilane expressed satisfaction at having fulfilled the club’s mandate by delivering the league title.
“As a coach, I delivered the mandate of winning the league title, so it is now up to them what they are going to do.
“For me, it is also about making the right decision concerning my future and my career because where I come from is near, but where I want to go, the road is still very long,” he said.
Madidilane also revealed that he has not yet received any offers, either locally or outside Lesotho.
