Mohloai Mpesi
The Mafeteng outfit Bantu FCs ace goalkeeper, Thabiso Lichaba scooped three accolades at the clubs players awards last Saturday in Mafeteng.
Feso as the starlet is affectionately called by his peers and fans, bundled three awards at the clubs gala; the fans favourite award which was tied with a M1 500 cash prize.
He was vying for the award with the Clubs defender Motlomelo Mkhwanazi and the attacking midfielder Litsepe Marabe.
Feso also walked home with the Golden Glove award tied with a M1 500 cash prize and the Players player award also packaged with M1 500.
The 28-year-old was also offered M500 by the former Minister of Sports Mathabiso Lepono and the former Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla as a means of compliment for hard work.
He walked home with M5 500.
He became in charge of the Bantu goal posts late last year when the club took against the Botswana Township Rollers at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), after his counterpart Tinotenda Movuri contract was terminated by the club late early November.
He was the second goal keeper of the club.
Fesos road to stardom was reinforced after he played in the Caf league match, after just one game feature in the domestic Econet Premier league.
The starlets skills under the wing of Posnet Omoney.
The Bantu goal keeper coach’s succour to Feso helped improve his control and power on the field.
I thank coach Posnet and all other coaches. They have always been motivating me to work harder, Lichaba told Newsday Sports.
We went to the champions league having played a sole game last season, and this shows improvement to me, he said, adding that he was over the moon after receiving a call from the national team as a selection confirmation.
I was ecstatic to receive a call from the national team, as I have always been willing to represent my country. This call says my efforts have been recognised, he said.
Shining at the same awards was the clubs midfielder Lindokuhle Phungulwa, who won player of the season award as well as goal of the year prize.
Phungulwa outshined Mkhwanazis bicycle-kick goal against the Lesotho Defence Force and midfielder Hlompho Kalake’s close range against Ugandan AS Vita.
God has always been the source of my strength. Last season was tough, but at the same time, was a route meant to sharpen my skills and saw a good improvement, Phungulwa told this reporter.
He added that hard work mattered.
I am a hard worker and constantly working towards my goals. I still have a contract with the club, he said.
The three times domestic premier league winners president, John Leuta, said although the club did not yield any harvest this season, he was proud of the backing they received from the club supporters.
We did not come with anything, but I am proud of everyones support. One thing that we can all boast about is that we have all built this team together.
I am similarly proud of a team that has won the league, but we don’t forget so easily, come next season, we are going to claim our league back, Leuta said.
Leuta mentioned that the club is going to open a shop to sell their apparel.
If you could realise the level of our discipline and how our players contain themselves and our attire, you would realise that Bantu is a brand. We have agreed with Puma that we are going to open Bantu FC shop to sell our apparels, he said without mentioning the area of the planned shop.
List of awards: Longest Serving award, Mokone Marabe (M1 500), Most Improved player, Thabo Lesaoana (M1 500), Good Sportsmanship award Hlompho Kalake (M1 500), Most Consistent, player Tsietsi Khooa (M1 500), Most disciplined player, Johannes Molapo (M1 500), Fans favourite award, Thabiso Lichaba (M1500), Best signing of the year, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (M1 500), Youngest player award Neo Mokhachane (M1 500), Most outstanding player, Litsepe Marabe (M1 500), Golden glove award Thabiso Lichaba (M1 500), Players player of the year, Thabiso Lichaba (M2 000), Goal of the year, Lindokuhle Phungulwa (M1 500), Top goal scorer, Lazola Tjokotjokwane (M1 500), Presidential award, Lehlohonolo Fothoane (M1 500), Best Defender, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (M1 000), Player of the season, Lindokuhle Phungulwa (M5 000).
