- Doubts over voting system sustainability emerge
- Voting period shortened, but participating clubs increased
The 2025 edition of the annual People’s Cup tournament has seen a massive drop-off in voter turnout from 1.3 million in 2024 to just over 400,000 this year.
Several factors are believed to have contributed to the decline, with the short voting period being a primary cause.
The voting for the competition opened on February 19 and closed on March 4, leaving the football community with just over two weeks to cast their votes.
Additionally, the official launch of the competition was delayed until February 25, just days before the voting deadline, which may have caused confusion and inconvenience for the fans.
Beyond the tight voting window, the drop in votes has also reignited concerns raised by the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, regarding the potential for money laundering in the voting process.
Mohapi previously questioned how an average football fan could afford bulk voting amounts, such as the M10,000 votes often seen in past editions, while still managing to attend games and purchase merchandise.
In the past, despite struggling financially, some clubs reportedly used bulk voting to secure votes for a top-four finish, even borrowing money in the hope of winning the competition’s M500,000 grand prize.
Unfortunately, when these clubs were eliminated early, they were left with significant debts, further fueling scepticism about the sustainability and fairness of the voting system.
“There is no way that fans can sustain this kind of financial burden, especially when they already strain their finances to attend games and support their teams,” Mohapi said.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that the system is unfair and unsustainable, especially when we see clubs resorting to borrowing money to secure votes and then left to deal with the fallout.”
Mohapi also stressed the importance of striking a balance between meeting the demands of clubs and protecting the financial well-being of the supporters.
“What do we see when we look at football supporters? If we are going to put so much burden on them, I am sure we are looking at over 3 million votes so that there is a return on expectation,” Mohapi said.
“When I see a football fan, I see a stakeholder who is there to witness the fruits of hard work on the field, not someone to cover the entire cost of football operations.”
The expansion of the People’s Cup from a four-team event to eight teams has also raised questions, particularly regarding its effect on the tournament’s prestige.
In previous years, teams fiercely competed for one of the coveted four spots, with every vote crucial in determining which teams advanced. In 2023, for example, Swallows missed out by just 50 votes to Linare, underlining how fiercely contested the spots were.
By expanding the competition, some fear the tournament may lose its exclusivity and glory. There is concern that this shift may dilute the prestige of being one of the final four teams.
For now, the focus is on the quarterfinals which are set to take place this weekend. LMPS FC, which topped the voting standings with 114 114 votes, will face Linare FC, while Lioli FC, with 64 736 votes, will take on Lijabatho FC.
In other quarter-final matchups, Bantu FC will play Lifofane FC, and Matlama FC will face Majantja FC. These fixtures are set for March 8 at the Maputsoe DIFA Ground and March 9 at the Mohale’s Hoek DIFA Ground.
The tournament is supported to the tune of M1.5 million by a partnership between Sam Matekane Foundation (SMF) and Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), who have contributed M800 000 and M700 000, respectively.
The total prize pool for the 2025 People’s Cup has been set at M1 million, with the winner receiving M500 000, the runner-up M200 000, and the third and fourth-placed teams sharing M100 000. Quarter-finalists will receive M40,000 each. The final is set to take place on March 15, at the Bocheletsane Ground in Mantšonyane, Thaba-Tseka.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports.
Started working at Newsday in 2021.
has an Associate Degree in Journalism and Media.
