Leemisa Thuseho
THIS weekend will be one of the busiest for Teyateyaneng giants, Lioli, popularly known as Tse Nala in the football fraternity.
The premiership heavyweights are hosting a fundraising gala-dinner tomorrow night at AVANI Maseru hotel and an international friendly match against South African third-tier league side, D’General FC at Setsoto stadium on Saturday.
The gala-dinner will be graced by the likes of South Africa’s Lesedi FM popular presenters, Nkunyana Nkunyana, affectionately known as Skuzabell, Phinel ‘DJ Finzo’ Sefatsa as well as Ba2Cada, real name Nyakallo Leine.
The match against D’General will be held at Leribe District Football Association (DiFA) Stadium in Maputsoe to cap a busy weekend for the colourful outfit which is desperate to regain its former glory.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, Lioli Marketing Manager, Kananelo Ramokoatsi, said all was set for the two weekend events, which are meant to raise money for the club ahead of the new season.
“All is set; preparations are on track. We hope the two events will be a success and help us fulfil our objectives of raising funds for the club and attract businesses to come on board and sponsor the team,” Ramokoatsi said.
“So far, we are happy with the response we are getting from individuals, businesses and of-course, Lioli supporters. We haven’t organised such events in a long time, so we call upon companies and individuals to come and support these initiatives as they will lead to our team attaining financial stability.”
He further said Lioli are also trying to build friendships with South African clubs hence Saturday’s friendly match against Botshabelo-based D’General.
Saturday’s game will also be good preparation for Lioli ahead of the 2023 Alliance Winter Challenge set for 2-3 September at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru. Lioli are the 2022 reigning champions of that tournament.
Meanwhile, Lioli are one of the busiest teams on the market during the current pre-season transfer window.
Among the new players the team has officially announced to have secured recently include former Machokha forward Emmanuel Taylor, and midfielder Stephen Mosola from LCS. Lioli have also re-signed their former central defender Sibusiso Sikhakhane and midfielder Sihle Maso.
Lioli ended last season’s premiership campaign in eighth position out of the 16 teams in the topflight league and will be hoping for a much better performance when the new campaign begins in October.
The last time Lioli won the league title was in 2016.
