Mikia Kalati
LIKUENA midfielder Jane ‘Sunny’ Tšotleho is over the moon after he recently signed for United States’ United Soccer League (USL) champions, Louisville City FC.
The 27-year-old left-footed midfielder has been club-less since parting ways with Cambodian outfit, Phnom Penh Crown in November.
Tšotleho has scored 14 goals and six assists in 91 USL Championship appearances over his career, having previously played for Wilmington Hammerheads FC (2014-2015) and the Richmond Kickers (2016-2017).
Jane showered praises on former Likuena and Arsenal goalkeeper, Thabane Sutu, whom he said played a huge role in his return to the US.
Sutu who is now the goalkeeper’s coach at Orlando City in the Major League Soccer (MLS), was also behind Tšotleho’s initial move to the US as a 13-year old.
“I’m very excited and really looking forward to the season ahead,” Tšotleho said.
“Louisville City is now back-to-back champions in the USL and my goal is to help the club go for three championships in a row.
“I don’t just want to be the best player but I also want to be the best player for my team.
“Ntate Sutu is the one who told the club’s coach that I’m free agent as my stay in Asia had ended and had no plans of going back to the same club. Ntate Sutu was also a goalkeeper coach for the same club before he moved to the MLS.”
The attacking midfielder said that the move comes at the right time and will help him keep his place in Moses Maliehe’s squad with Likuena still in the race to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Likuena is second in Group L behind already qualified Uganda and needs a win over Cape Verde in their last match in March.
He also thanked Bantu for allowing him to train with the club after returning home from Cambodia.
“Going back to the US helps my chances of keeping my place in the national team because I will be playing high quality football which will benefit the team going into a must win game in March to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I want to publicly thank Bantu FC for letting me train with their team while I was at home since the end of the Cambodian League season.”
He also showered praises on Bantu coach James Madidilane and said he learnt a lot from his during their interactions.
“He (Madidilane) is an amazing coach and I got a lot of lessons which I am going to take to the US. Bantu are a special organisation and I also got to see why they are a top team here in Lesotho,” he said.
Tšotleho will reunite with a group of Lesotho players plying their trade in the US such as former Kick4Life trio of Morapeli Lesoetsa, Mako Makoanyane and Lesia Thetsane as well as Napo Matsoso.
There is also Mehalalitoe duo of Boitumelo Rabale and Senate Letsie also on football and academic scholarships in the US.
