Mikia Kalati
THE Likuena duo of Nkoto Masoabi and Tumelo Khutlang may be unveiled as South African Premier League side Black Leopards signings before the end of the week, team manager Tshifiwe ‘Chief’ Thidiela has said.
Thidiela who is son to the owner of the team, David Thidiela, was speaking to the Lesotho Times on Monday.
He said he was confident that the duo will be unveiled before the end of the week ahead of the 2018/19 soccer season that begins in August.
Black Leopards are back in the top-flight league after winning the promotion/relegation playoffs that also featured Jomo Cosmos and Platinum Stars.
He said the two players impressed their technical team during the recent COSAFA Cup that was held in Limpopo province, where Lesotho finished third.
“We are speaking to them but there are still outstanding issues that need to be fixed before we finalise everything,” Thidiela said.
“Our technical team watched the two players and they were tracing them, but I think the coach can say better about them. Once all the outstanding issues have been sorted then we can give details about the players since they will belong to our team by then.
“Either this week or next week we will have finalised everything. I think they are also coming for camp this week but once they are here and everything has been completed we can talk and take it from there.”
In a recent interview with our sister paper, the Sunday Express, Khutlang also confirmed that he was close to making a switch to the Limpopo outfit.
“We have just not signed anything yet but everything else is in place. The signing however, will hopefully be done in the next few days,” Khutlang said.
Khutlang last year saw a move to then South African National First Division (NFD) side Mthatha Bucks collapsing on the eleventh hour but he says he is confident this time he will get the deal.
“What happened last year has taught me to celebrate before completion of deals lest my celebration turn into disappointments. I have been in contact with Lioli and from their response it looks like they have also reached an agreement with Leopards. What is left like I said is for me to sign,” he said.
Indications are that LMPS defender, Basia Makepe and Motebang Sera of Matlama are also on the verge of moving to South Africa having impressed during the 2018 COSAFA Cup.
Reports say that the duo players have agreed personal terms with Mbombela United who play in South Africa’s NFD.
All four players are reported to have signed with a South African agent who is facilitating their respective moves to Black Leopards and Mbombela United.
