Leemisa Thuseho
Lioli have re-united with their former winger Tumelo Khutlang.
Khutlang left the Teyateyaneng football giants in 2018 when he joined South African premier league side, Black Leopards.
On Tuesday, TseNala announced Khutlang’s return but did not reveal the conditions of this surprise reunification.
“The executive committee of Lioli is happy to announce the signing of Tumelo ‘Makhopo’ Khutlang. We welcome him back home,” Lioli said in a brief statement.
However, Khutlang’s return to Lioli came as a surprise as the player had been training with Morija-based premier league outfit, Lijabatho, for most of this pre-season.
Khutlang even played friendly matches for Lijabatho as part of the team’s preparations for the 2023/24 season which kicks off in October.
Khutlang didn’t have a successful stint in South Africa after his first club, Black Leopards, were relegated from the premier league at the end of the 2020/21 season.
He then joined another South African topflight side, Swallows, at the beginning of the 2021/22 season but did not see any game-time at the club.
Last season, Khutlang was watching football from the sidelines, which resulted in his exclusion from the national team, Likuena.
Meanwhile, Lioli have also announced the return of Setho Moshoeshoe from Naughty Boys. Moshoeshoe played for several local teams after starting his football career at Lioli.
Lioli also announced the signing of former Liphakoe defender Mpho Hlephole, and striker Teboho Masuoane who was at the club on loan last season from Linare, but has made the move permanent.
Lioli have been one of the busiest teams during this pre-season transfer window.
Among the players the team has officially announced to have signed are former Machokha forward Emmanuel Taylor, midfielder Stephen Mosola from LCS, central defender Sibusiso Sikhakahne and midfielder Sihle Maso.
Tse Nala finished eighth on the 16-team premier league table last season and will be hoping to return to their former glory of winning league titles and cup competitions.
The last time Lioli won the league title was in 2016.
