By Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Bantu Football Club president, John Leuta, says the “sleepless nights” are finally over following his team’s win of their first Premier League title.
A Matšo Matebele wrapped-up the 2013/14 Premiership championship with a 2-1 win over title-rivals Linare last Thursday.
The title-celebrations came with four matches to spare and Leuta is happy the long wait for domestic football’s biggest prize is finally over.
According to Leuta, 2014 would go down as a “historic year” for the club, as the team also won the Independence Cup.
“I cannot describe how happy I am and everybody else involved with this club,” Leuta said.
“The team had failed, in many attempts, to end what had become a painful drought for the league title and it is an honour that it happened under my leadership.”
Leuta praised the “hard work” of the club’s executive, technical team, players, sponsors and supporters, without which the “historic double”, could not have been possible.
“It was all about hard work and team work. The league title was the priority for us this season and we had to put everything we had to finally end the long wait for this trophy.”
Asked how the club, formed in 1927, was going to celebrate the historic win, Leuta said: “We will hold a big ceremony at the end of the season.
“We have always rewarded our players at the end of every season, but this year, it is going to be big.”
Leuta was also full of praise for head-coach, Motlatsi Shale, who was brought in at the start of the season.
“He has shown his qualities as one of the best coaches in the country.
“He is very brave and not afraid of challenges, which is what we needed to end this long wait for the league title.
“Again, we had a strong technical team and Shale was not shy to learn from those around him.
“A lot of praise should also go to the players who worked hard all season.”
