MASERU –– Newly promoted Premier League outfit Bantu will not face any sanctions for fielding their new arrival Tefo Maipato in the MGC Supa 8 on Saturday, the Premier League has said.
The former Likhopo midfielder spent the last three years at South African outfit Orlando Pirates’ development structures; however he has returned home in search of first-team football.
Maipato then came on as a second half substitute for the Mafeteng outfit in their Supa 8 quarter-final defeat to LDF on Saturday.
However his former employers Likhopo dispute his registration and eligibility to play.
If found guilty Bantu would have faced possible sanctions including docked points or financial penalties. However Premier League public relations officer Moeketsi Pitso, told the Lesotho Times yesterday that Maipato’s transfer was above board.
“The player was registered and there is no problem at all,” Pitso said yesterday. “He left Likhopo for Pirates and he was no longer Likhopo’s player. He got his clearances so he was eligible to play on Saturday.”
But Likhopo are unhappy.
“The player went there (Pirates) as part of a development programme. So if the player comes back then he should be returned to us,” Likhopo manager Qamako Mahao told the Lesotho Times yesterday.
“What we wanted is that the player be returned to us or that we be consulted when he was sold (by Pirates),” Mahao said.
“It is within our rights to complain (but) I’m reluctant to comment further because we haven’t spoken to LEFA or to Pirates.”
The episode could be a precursor to what might be a summer of conflict between the two clubs with Bantu intent on pinching Likhopo trio Daniel Jousse, Mokone Marabe and Mapheelle Rangoako.
