By Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Former Likuena coach Leslie Notši was reunited with striker Tšepo Lekhooana who is set to complete a six-month loan deal to South Africa’s first division side United FC.
The Likuena striker was linked with his new team on Monday after scoring for Lioli in last Sunday’s one-all draw against Matlama that helped Tse Nala reach the semi-finals of the LNIG Top 8.
Lioli president, Lebohang Thotanyana, confirmed to the Lesotho Times that they had released Lekhooana to join United FC for the remainder of the 2012/13 season.
The two clubs are expected to complete the deal before the January transfer window closes tomorrow.
“Lekhooana has been transferred to United on a short term loan deal and he left on Monday to link up with his new team,” Thotanyana said.
He confirmed that the talented striker won’t be part of Lioli when they begin their CAF champions’ league campaign early in February.
“Yes, the player won’t be available for us when we play in the champions’ league and it is a big blow because he is such an important player”.
He established himself at Likhopo before leaving the country to play in the lower leagues in South Africa.
The stockily built striker was one of the top performers for Likuena in their last fixture of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
He scored as Lesotho registered their first away win in an official match in over a decade during a 3-1 win over Sudan in Khartoum.
Lekhooana was last year in the books of Maluti FET College, but returned home to play for Lioli.
Notši spoke highly of the striker and was confident he will make a mark for his new team as he has played in the NFD league before.
This paper has also been informed that Lekhooana has attracted interest from Free State Stars.
United already has Lesotho international Litšepe Marabe in their books.
However the talented winger has never played for the first division side in an official match since signing for them in July last year.
The club failed to meet all the requirements to register Marabe for the 2013/14 season and they are hoping to complete all the paper work before the transfer window closes.
United has also hinted at sending Marabe back to Bantu on loan for the remainder of the season so that he can get game time.
Katleho Moleko is another of the Lesotho internationals playing in the NDF league.
The skillful winger is yet to command a regular first team place, but has a number of appearances coming from the bench.
