Masianokeng High School became the third school to win the coveted Alliance High School Tournament on Saturday at the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) Ground. Masianokeng defeated Bereng High School to lift the trophy becoming the second school from Maseru to claim the national crown. Alliance Insurance began sponsoring the tournament in 2022 with the aim of showcasing young talent and exposing them to Premier League scouts. St. Rose won the inaugural edition in 2022 and Christ the King High School were the winners last year.
This content is for subscribers only. To subscribe, Click Here. Or Sign In
The tournament has been notable for its vigorous competition and parity since its inception and no school has won the tournament more than once.
In addition, this year once again saw the two finalists from the previous year failing to make it back to the final.
The Alliance High School Tournament is held in conjunction with the Lesotho Institutions Sport Association (LISA), which organises the event while Alliance Insurance provides financial backing.
This year the champions not only won a trophy and gold medals but a cool M7,500 winner’s cheque as well.
Runners up Bereng High School received M5,000 while Tsikoane and Mohatlane high schools walked away with M3,000 and M1,000 respectively for finishing third and fourth.
Speaking to thepost after the game, Masianokeng head coach Tlokotsi Ndlovu said the tournament is becoming tougher each year and it was a challenging journey to the final.
Ndlovu praised Bereng High School coached by Caswell Moru and acknowledged them as difficult opponents.
He said getting the better of Moru, whom he labelled as a mentor, was a “great achievement” that was down to hard work.
“We could not rest in any way because of the pressure (from Bereng High School). We had to make sure that we protect and defend the attacks that were coming,” Ndlovu said.
“Even though I am younger than their coach, Caswell Moru, who is still mentoring me, I wanted to show that my coaching skills are improving,” he added.
Ndlovu expressed optimism about the future of high school football, which forms an important pillar of football development in any country.
Additionally, football at the high school level plays a significant role in shaping the lives of young adults, helping them develop critical life skills and building lasting memories. Off the field, high school football has the ability to teach important life skills such as teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
“If high school teams maintain their level of competition, they can achieve great success,” Ndlovu said. “I encourage the teams that were knocked out early not to be disheartened, next year could be their turn to win the tournament.”
Ndlovu said Masianokeng High School is open to discussions with league teams that are interested in their best players and he applauded the support from Alliance Insurance.
“It motivates players to pursue football as a career rather than just seeing it as a hobby,” Ndlovu said.
Individual awards:
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Tšepo Makae (M1,000)
Player of the Tournament: Tumisang Nkubu (M1,000)
