MASERU — Lioli goalkeeper Isaiah Mosala has gone AWOL.
According to his employers, Mosala has not been seen at training since Lioli began their pre-season sessions at the start of this month.
He joined the champions last season after failing to make the grade at South African side Free State Stars.
The goal-minder was forced to endure long spells on the bench towards the end of last season due to the impressive form between the posts of teammate Mohau Kuenane.
Now the 24-year-old has failed to report for training at all.
“Isaiah hasn’t been here since the start of July,” Lioli technical director Halemakale Mahlaha told the Lesotho Times yesterday.
“We haven’t had any contact from him and it’s not clear why he hasn’t been at training.”
Mosala was Lioli’s first-choice keeper until an eye injury in March sidelined him for three weeks.
He was replaced by Kuenane who then played the remainder of Lioli’s title charge.
Mahlaha said Lioli had already begun the search for a replacement for Mosala.
Meanwhile, Lioli have approached Matlama for the services of two of its players, defender Nkau Lerotholi and striker Lekhotla Pitso.
Both players are currently in camp with Likuena although Pitso has already trained with “Tse Nala”.
With the pressure of defending their league title as well as playing in continental competition next season, Lioli are eager to bolster their squad.
Despite winning the league last season Lioli still had one of the smallest squads in the top-flight division.
“The problem we had last year is that we didn’t have a big squad,” Mahlaha said.
“For example, Thabile Secker was playing with an injury towards the end of the season.
“We want to have a bigger squad with quality players.”
Lioli had wanted to sign a third Matlama player, Lesotho international Thapelo Mokhehle, but negotiations between the two clubs have collapsed.
However, the signing of Rovers forward and captain Nthejane Seenyana is as good as done.
The under-20 international is expected to join the champions officially next week, where he will be joined by Mphatlalatsane attacker Kopano Tseka.
Lioli have also promoted three players from their youth ranks — defender Pitso Monne as well as midfielders Kane Lekhoa and Bafokeng Mosala.
The signings are replacements for the potential departures of the star duo of Sello Muso and Bushy Moletsane who both underwent trials at South African first division side African Warriors two weeks ago. This Saturday Lioli will play Warriors in QwaQwa as part of their pre-season activity.