M400 000 reward for Lioli players, staff

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“I told the coach (when Lioli hired him in September 2023) that if you can help us with two things, I believe you will come with good results. He asked about them and I told him that if he gives us discipline and fitness, the war won’t be hard to us,” Thotanyana said.

The Lioli president was speaking last Friday at the club’s player awards gala dinner at the Blue Mountain Inn in Teyateyaneng (TY).

The occasion celebrated the club’s success and Lioli shared the spoils of war as a total of M400 000 was split between the players and coaching staff.

The amount included M150 000 from TY businessman Tšeliso Nthane and M150 000 from the Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Lebona Lephema.

Lioli’s management also chipped in with M100 000.

Amongst the awards, Jerry Kamela received M15 000 for the player of the season while Tumelo Khutlang walked away with the same amount for being the club’s top scorer. In addition, each player was rewarded with M10 000.

Lioli are still set to receive R650 000 in prize money from sponsors Vodacom for winning the title.

“I am very thankful because those things that the players needed for them to be where they are now were achieved by the good work of coach Motheo Mohapi and his technical team,” Thotanyana said as he handed Mohapi his president’s award worth M20 000.

Thotanyana added that the players deserve appreciation as well because they fought and brought the trophy “home”.

He said the club and coaching staff addressed certain issues that he could not say at the gala dinner. However, amongst the things management discussed with Mohapi was the need to achieve a certain amount of points by the end of the first half of the season.

“(Mohapi’s) response was that the amount of points was very achievable and that is what gave us the impression and no doubt that we were going to be the 2023-24 Vodacom Premier League champions,” the Lioli president said.

“When the first half (of the season) ended, I knew that we were the champions of the league,” Thotanyana added.

“Coming to the (finishing stages) of the league was not easy; we persevered, worked very hard and I would like to thank all the people who contributed to this; supporters, sponsors and everyone,” he said.

Thotanyana heaped praise on the players for showing teamwork and team spirit because they understood the assignment.

“A star lights up brighter with the help of others and that was what the Lioli players were doing during the season and now they all shine,” he said.

Thotanyana said many ‘Tse Nala’ fans and players were not happy when Lioli did not qualify for the People’s Cup in April, which included four clubs that were voted into the tournament via an SMS competition.

“We sat down with the players and counselled them by showing them that they should not feel bad, they should just focus on what they were doing and, after that cup, we collected many points (in the league),” he said.

“Even though some people were seeing us struggling, what I can say is that the journey was very smooth.”

Lioli players awards:

Most Disciplined Player – Mafa Moremoholo M8000.00

Outstanding Young Player – Mokoteli Mohapi M8000.00

Most Improved Player – Sihle Maso M8000.00

Players’ Player – Tau Masiu M8000.00

Golden Glove – William Huni M15 000.00

Golden Boot – Tumelo Khutlang M15 000.00

Player of the Year – Jerry Kamela M15 000.00

Lioli president awards:

1. Motheo Mohapi – M20 000.00

2. Hlompho Maitin