Moorosi Tsiane
MATLAMA skipper Mabuti Potloane, who finally ended his long wait before winning a Premier League gold medal last weekend, has declared that he is not going anywhere anytime soon as he still has a lot to offer.
The 33-year-old Potloane made his first appearance in the Premier League 14 years ago while playing for Lerotholi Polytechnic and is now the second oldest player on the Matlama roaster behind Bushy Moletsane (35).
When he left Lerotholi three years later, Potloane joined his boyhood club Linare where he grew to become an important member for over a decade.
He was a driving force in the Linare team under the tutelage of Freeze Ntene going as far as ending third in the Premier League in the 2013/14 season, where he also scooped the player of the season accolade.
Potloane, who joined Tse Putsoa in January 2016, told the Lesotho Times this week that he was happy that he finally got a Premier League gold medal and attributed the achievement to the team’s hard work.
“I am very happy because the long wait is finally over but this is all only about me because we all worked hard as a team including our young players who showed lot maturity,” Potloane said.
“The other issue is that we have played together for a long time so we understood each other well.”
Apart from the league win, Potloane has also bagged LNIG Top8 under Mosito Matela last season.
Asked when he will be hanging his boots the former Likuena attacker said the thought hasn’t even crossed his mind yet.
“I haven’t even thought about it but I believe my body will tell me when it has had enough. At the moment, I still have a lot to offer and I will continue playing and enjoying football,” Potloane said.
He said it was vital for players to keep their bodies strong.
“It is important that we take care of our bodies. Proper training is very important but most importantly, a footballer is an athlete so they also have to watch what they are eating because nutrition plays a huge role,” he said.
He however, could not rule out retiring in the Linare fold when he finally decides to quit.
“I guess we just have to wait and see how everything goes. At the moment, I am still a Matlama player and my focus is still with them. The season has ended and it is time to rest until we re-open for the new season where we will be faced with lot of work to defend our title while at the same time, we will be competing in CAF Champions’ League,” Potloane concluded.
