Likuena and Bantu midfielder, Sepiriti Malefane,left
Mikia Kalati
PREMIER league side LCS have expressed interest in signing Likuena and Bantu midfielder, Sepiriti Malefane, who has been at the Mafeteng-based side for the last two seasons.
The utility player, who can also play as a defender, was recently spotted training with the correctional service side, although there are no transfer negotiations as yet.
LCS secretary, Makoanyane Letsie, this week confirmed the interest to the Lesotho Times saying Malefane was one of their targets as they work towards bolstering the squad ahead of the new season.
“We want to beef-up our team for the new season, and our technical team is keen on Malefane provided he is available,” he said.
“We are still mapping a way forward for the new season and yet to finalise the list of our target players.”
Letsie said LCS were also hunting for a striker after struggling for goals in the previous campaign in which they finished the Vodacom Premier League season in third position.
“We are on the lookout for a number of players, and the coach has given us his wish list,” said the LCS secretary.
“One of his requests is for an acquisition in the striking department, so we are looking for such a player ahead of the new season.
“We are already assessing a number of players including one from Zimbabwe, but only time will tell if he has the attributes we want.”
Letsie said they were also drawing players from the team’s reserve team.
“The coach has promoted a few youngsters from our development side, and they will be given contracts to play for the senior team.”
He said veteran defender Moitheri Ntobo would continue to play for the club in the new season despite rumours that he was hanging up his boots. The 37-year old former Likuena captain was on the bench for most of last season’s second round.
However, Letsie said Ntobo and controversial playmaker Ralekoti Mokhahlane were still in the LCS technical team’s plans.
“Ntobo returned for pre-season training with the rest of the players, and will be registered for the new season,” he said.
“As for Mokhahlane, we will soon finalise his issue since he was suspended by the club last season. A number of clubs have written to us expressing interest in signing him for the new season. However, at this stage, we want to keep all our players.”
For his part, Bantu Communications and Marketing Manager, Motlatsi Mofokeng, said Malefane was yet to show up for pre-season training.
“Malefane was expected to return for training on Monday, but was nowhere to be seen until we heard rumours that he was training with one of our rivals,” Mofokeng said.
“What we will not do is to stand in his way if there are offers for his services. However, he still has a contract that binds him with us, so we will wait for him or any team that is interested.”
