Seabata Mahao
Mosa Makhanya, a standout player for Kick4Life’s Senior Women’s team, Kick4Life Ladies FC, has recently earned her first call-up to the senior national team, Mehalalitoe.
Makhanya was selected as part of the provisional squad of 26 players by coach, Shalane Lehohla in preparation for the COSAFA Women’s Championship, scheduled for October in Gqeberha, South Africa.
Makhanya’s inclusion in the national team follows a weekend of competitive action, where the Senior Women’s national team, Mehalalitoe, played two friendly matches against Mozambique in Maputo. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw, while the second concluded in a goalless stalemate.
Her exceptional performances in the previous season of the Lesotho Women’s Super League (WSL) have not gone unnoticed. Makhanya was instrumental in Kick4Life’s impressive run, helping the team secure a second-place finish in the WSL, behind Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Ladies FC.
Beyond her on-field achievements, Makhanya is also making strides off the pitch. Through Kick4Life’s Fit4WorkAndPlay Programme, which supports players in developing broader employability skills, she is training as a chef at No 7 Restaurant, a social enterprise in Maseru.
In a recent interview, Makhanya shared how Kick4Life has significantly impacted her life.
“Programs like Girls United have helped me become an active community member and a role model, earning respect from my peers and younger people in my community,” she said.
“Although I initially lacked qualifications and job experience, Kick4Life provided me with opportunities to take online courses, enhancing my CV. Through these programs, I gained self-respect, self-awareness, and learned how to present myself professionally,” she added.
Makhanya reflected on her early days with Kick4Life: “When I first joined, I was very young and already the primary breadwinner for my family. The Fit4WorkAndPlay programme allowed me to gain valuable experience in the hospitality industry, both front-of-house and back-of-house. The stipends I received helped improve my family’s situation by providing food and support.”
Kick4Life’s co-founder Steve Fleming highlighted the dual impact of Makhanya’s opportunities.
“With her passion for both football and culinary arts, these opportunities are helping Mosa develop new skills that will enable her to reach her full potential in all areas of life. We look forward to seeing her continued success and development both on and off the pitch,” Fleming said.
