Leemisa Thuseho
Kick4Life Juventude players, Thabo Motsopa and Bafokeng Ntšeno, have secured life-changing academic scholarships that will enable them to further their studies while continuing their football careers abroad.
Goalkeeper Motsopa has been awarded a two-year scholarship to pursue a Pre-University A-Level programme at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Defender Ntšeno, meanwhile, is heading to the United States on a four-year scholarship to study Sports Psychology at Freed-Hardeman University, where he will also play football.
The pair are graduates of the Kick4Life Scholar-Football Academy (SFA) and former students of Lesotho High School.
Established in 2016, the Scholar-Football Academy combines education, football and leadership development to help talented young Basotho access international education opportunities. With the departure of Motsopa and Ntšeno, the academy has now helped 20 student-athletes secure scholarships abroad, most of them to universities in the United States.
Last week, Kick4Life also announced that two other Scholar-Football Academy student-athletes had earned overseas scholarships. Mariam Monnapula received a scholarship to the African Leadership Academy, where she will undertake a two-year pre-university leadership programme, while Thuso Khoarane secured a four-year scholarship to study Information Technology Sciences, majoring in Cybersecurity, at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, United States. Khoarane will also play for the university’s football team. Like Motsopa and Ntšeno, both are former Lesotho High School students.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony for Motsopa and Ntšeno at the Kick4Life premises in Maseru this week, Kick4Life Country Director, Motlatsi Nkhahle, said the latest scholarships underscored the organisation’s commitment to using football as a vehicle to transform the lives of young people in Lesotho.
“These milestones reaffirm our commitment and mission to continue using the power of football to transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho,” Mr Nkhahle said.
He urged the departing students to remain disciplined and work hard, saying their achievements would inspire more young Basotho to pursue similar opportunities.
“The students we have previously sent abroad have excelled academically and on the field. Because of that success, some universities now approach us looking for more student-athletes from Lesotho. That shows the confidence they have in our programme,” he said.
Motsopa thanked Kick4Life for helping shape him personally, academically and as a footballer.
“I came to Kick4Life not knowing that these academic opportunities even existed, but I have benefited immensely both personally and academically,” Motsopa said.
“I used to struggle with self-doubt, but today I am a better person. Before, I was afraid to take opportunities that came my way, but now I have the confidence to embrace any opportunity.
“I am ready to go and raise the Kick4Life and Lesotho High School flags.”
Ntšeno, a former Lesotho Under-17 and Under-20 international, also expressed gratitude to his coaches, Lesotho High School and Kick4Life for their guidance.
He revealed that he joined Kick4Life in 2016 and, despite receiving offers from several local Premier League clubs over the years, his coaches encouraged him to remain patient and focus on the long-term opportunities available through the academy.
The players’ parents also thanked Kick4Life and Lesotho High School for the role they played in nurturing their children and opening doors to opportunities in both education and football.
