Bantu sign hitman Boseka

MASERU — Bantu has completed the signing of Mosiuoa Boseka from Swallows for the second highest transfer fee in Lesotho football history.

The 18-year-old playmaker who is also a member of Lesotho’s national under-20 team completed his move to Bantu on Friday for M8 000.

The most expensive transfer in Lesotho was in January 2009 when striker Lawrence Molengoane joined LCS from Matlama for M10 000.

As part of the transfer deal Boseka received a M1 600 signing-on fee.

Boseka, who joined Swallows from Matlama at the start of the 2009/2010 season, became a much-desired player after his inspired performances that helped Swallows avoid relegation last season.

His signing may be the first in a busy transfer window for Bantu.

Bantu president Leuta Leuta said the club has a wish list of five players.

“There are five players on the shopping list,” Leuta said.

“We have already signed one (Boseka) and we are close to signing another, so I’m left with three players.”

Over the past year, Bantu have strengthened their key positions by signing big names such as Tlali Maile, Tefo Maipato, Mapheelle Ngoako and Daniel Jousse, who have all played for Lesotho’s national teams.

“He (Boseka) is a very good signing, he is still young and he has a bright future,” Leuta added.

“The agreement with Swallows was that we would give 20 percent of the transfer fee to the player, so all-together we have spent M9 600.”

Bantu beat champions Matlama and Teyateyaneng giants Lioli to Boseka’s signature.

The conclusion of Boseka’s high-profile transfer comes soon after the Mafeteng club elected a new executive board on June 27.

Leuta said the Mafeteng community has set ambitious targets for the new executive to end the next season among the top four teams in the Vodacom Premier League.

Boseka’s signing and efforts to get for four more players is part of plans to achieve that target, Leuta said.

Last season Bantu were Lesotho’s fairytale story after returning to the big time after four seasons in the First Division and finishing sixth in the Premiership, just four points shy of a top four place.

“We haven’t sat down yet as the executive but the community has told us to be in the top four this time around.

“That’s the assignment we have been given and we have to see how we can achieve it,” Leuta said.

“If I can get players the technical team has advised then it’s possible,” Leuta continued.

Leuta said Bantu’s executive was due to meet yesterday to decide the club’s coaching position.

It has been unclear whether current coach Bafokeng Mohapi would remain in charge of the team after he missed eight matches towards the end of the season because of personal problems.

Regarding Mohapi’s position Leuta said: “Until now he is the coach of the team. He has showed the willingness to remain as coach.”

In what are exciting times for the Mafeteng club several innovations will take place at the club next season.

Leuta revealed that from the start of the new season Bantu will have a man-of-the-match award for its players after each match.

There will also be club awards at the end of the season. The elections for the new board have also brought about a new constitution.

“We are going to hire a chief executive officer. As soon as Monday we are going to advertise for the job. There is already an office at Bantu’s field,” Leuta said.

Leuta said the aim for Bantu’s executive committee, which will be in charge for two years, would be to secure stable sponsorship to fuel the club’s ambitions.