Vodacom Premier League champions Lioli will miss the golden chance of competing in the CAF Champions League next season.
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Lioli dramatically won the premiership in May but their dreams of returning to Africa have been scuppered with the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) insisting they will not enrol any champion in the continental showpiece until the national stadium, Setsoto, is fixed.
Setsoto has been barred from hosting international matches by Africa’s governing body, CAF, because of its run-down state since May 2022, which has forced LEFA to hire stadiums in South Africa and incur heavy costs of accommodation, transport and other necessities.
LEFA says the price of playing in South Africa is too hefty and last season’s champions, Bantu, also did not foray into Africa.
The last club to take part in the CAF Champions League was Matlama in 2022.
‘Tse Putsoa’ hosted their home tie at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein before travelling to Cameroon and the total cost of the two games was north of M2 million, a figure no local club can afford on their own.
The national team, Likuena, are able to play matches in South Africa because of the travel solidarity funding LEFA receives from the world governing body, FIFA.
LEFA’s secretary general, Mokhosi Mohapi, previously told thepost that the association would not enrol local teams in continental competitions until Setsoto is fixed.
It is a painful decision for Lesotho football but one that clubs have to live with.
Having won a league title for the first time since 2016, Lioli have been holding out hope that they would get the chance to possibly face African giants such as South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and they say LEFA are yet communicate whether ‘Tse Nala’ will be enrolled although the decision appears to be a formality.
Speaking to thepost yesterday, Lioli’s spokesperson, Kananelo Ramokoatsi, said the club’s leadership will be seeking clarification from LEFA.
He said ‘Tse Nala’ “do not know what will happen” but are aware Bantu were not enrolled in the Champions League last season and, therefore, the same could happen to them.
“What we know is verbal, I am sure there will be a (LEFA) meeting with the club because we need to know, then it will be clear if we are going to be enrolled or not. Of course, Bantu were not enrolled last season so it could still be the same (for Lioli), we will know,” Ramokoatsi said.
Ramokoatsi said if Lioli are enrolled in the Champions League, the club would not be able to finance their participation.
He admitted LEFA, or a sponsor, would need to help the club to cover their expenses.
“It would not be easy without support because we would have to cater for everything – visas, flights, food – everything really, and we can only afford competing here at home. The cost is too high, we would need support,” Ramokoatsi said.
“It is disappointing really for the football fraternity because when we are playing outside we are representing the country,” he added.
“I hope the government realises that it is a big challenge. Football makes us happy.”
Tlalane Phahla
