Mahlomola Letsie
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, the annual Alliance Insurance winter football showpiece, now renamed the Alliance Challenge, showcased the youngest youth ensemble in the history of Lesotho football.
Matlama Football Club (FC), fielding a squad composed mostly of players in their early 20s, edged out Linare FC in a dramatic match decided by a record nine-round penalty shootout.
The match was officiated by 19-year-old referee Mlungisi Sixishe, who skillfully managed the tense encounter, leading to Matlama’s triumphant claim of the trophy.
The youthful Matlama squad was led by long-time former Lesotho Under-23 captain, Halemakale “Doctor” Mahlaha, whose seasoned coaching skills guided the team to victory.
Among the standout players was 16-year-old goalkeeper Leluma Mofoka, who played alongside a few seasoned teammates over the age of 25, including Jane Thabants’o, Lisema Lebokollane, Lazola Jokojokwana, and Rethabile Mokokoane.
Their combined efforts delivered yet another exciting and momentous win for Tse Putsoa, as Matlama are affectionately known in football circles.
Matlama FC, who made history as the inaugural winners of the Alliance Challenge when it was introduced in 2015, have now won the tournament a record-breaking three times.
Matlama FC have successfully retained their dominance in the Alliance Challenge, remaining the reigning champions since 2023. They narrowly defeated the Leribe-based Linare FC in another nail-biting penalty shootout.
Linare, who debuted in the tournament in 2022, have yet to claim an Alliance trophy, making them the only team in the competition that has never won the coveted prize.
Under the guidance of former Bantu FC coach Atang “Bob” Mafoso, Linare FC continue to chase their first Alliance trophy, trailing behind clubs like Lioli FC, who have two Alliance Challenge titles under the leadership of former Lesotho dribbling wizard Motheo “Six To Six – Nkeke Ka E Emela” Mohapi.
Mohapi stirred controversy by lamenting that his Lioli players were being “purposely ignored by the senior national team (Likuena).” Additionally, the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) FC, coached by their former player Thabile Secker, has secured a single Alliance Challenge trophy.
Despite their current lack of Alliance Challenge trophies, Linare FC were the biggest winners in terms of individual excellence on Sunday. Linare players swept all individual awards at the Bambatha Ts’ita Sports Arena, marking the first time in eight years that the final was held on its immaculate turf.
Linare’s goalkeeper, Ntsane Molise, was honoured as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, earning M3,500. His teammate, Pheko ‘Molaoa, was crowned Player of the Tournament, also taking home M3,500.
The highly in-form Linare midfielder, Ts’epang Sefali, who was the first to score during Sunday’s match, shared the Top Goal Scorer’s award with LCS’s Makara Ntaitsane and Matlama’s Jane Thabants’o. Each received M3,500 for their achievements.
Linare FC walked away with silver medals and a M20,000 prize as runners-up to the champions, Matlama FC, who were crowned winners and awarded gold medals along with a substantial M50,000 first prize.
Lioli FC and LCS FC each received a consolation prize of M10,000 for their efforts.
An estimated 10,000 spectators packed the small Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena to its rafters, generating close to M300,000 in gate takings. The crowd was mesmerised by the nation’s musical sensation, Sannere (real name Relebohile Monaphathi), who performed alongside veteran musicians Selimo Thabane, Omali Themba, and the newly rising star, Phoka Ea Boroa.
Among the dignitaries gracing the tournament were Stephen Mputi, former first vice president of the District Football Association (DIFA) for the Leribe district and now a cabinet minister for the Public Service portfolio, and veteran judge, His Lordship Tšeliso Monaphathi.
