Lesotho, SA football legends face-off for good cause

Seabata Mahao

Lesotho and South African football veterans will play a benefit soccer match at Setsoto Stadium on April 1 to raise awareness about substance abuse among the youth.

The match will be preceded by soccer clinics in Teyateyaneng and Maseru as part of the campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

The event will feature soccer luminaries such as Lehlohonolo Seema, Lekoane Lekoane, and Bokang Mothoana, from Lesotho, while Doctor Khumalo, Steve Lekoeleea and Katlego Mphela will be among former stars from South Africa, among others.

The awareness campaign has been initiated by concerned parents ‘Mahlompho Liphoto and ‘Mantsane Matekane, who want to help curb the escalating rate of drug and alcohol abuse among youth in the country.

In a statement released by the organisers, Liphoto said she was concerned by the behaviour of young people in Lesotho, many of whom were increasingly becoming drug and alcohol addicts.

“In our times, we used to keep ourselves busy with sports, not alcohol and drugs,” she said.

“We are really concerned by the ever-increasing rate of drug and alcohol abuse, and we are trying to get interventions to help reduce the trend.”

She added that the benefit soccer match was one such intervention.

On her part, Matekane said they chose football over other sports for the awareness campaign because it can attract more people than other sporting activities.

“We came up with the idea to host a football match between legends because we believe they may inspire youths to stop abusing drugs and get into sports and socialise,” Matekane said.

“As a way of motivating the youths and to encourage them to abstain from drugs and alcohol, we will hold soccer clinics a day before the match at Lioli FC Ground in Teyateyaneng and Pitso Ground in Maseru, where the youths can get a chance to interact with the legends,” Matekane added.

The organisers said both Lesotho and South African squads would comprise legends who have been household names in soccer in the past three decades.

Both sides have already selected their teams. Lesotho will have a squad of 18 players while South Africa has 14.

Lesotho legends full squad;

Sam Ketsekile, Liteboho Mokhesi, Tlali Maile, Lehlohonolo Seema, Moitheri Ntobo, Bokang Mothoana, Lekoane Lekoane, Tefo Maipato, Shalane Lehohla, Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Motlalepula Majoro, Bushy Moletsane, Motlalepula Mofolo, Likhetho Mokhathi, Motheho Mohapi, Lebajoa Mphonngoa, Kabelo Mosothoane, and Teele Ntšonyane.

The South African legends squad is as follows;

Jappie Motale, Abednigo Netshwodwe, Old John Mabizela, Naughty Mokoena, Steve Lekoelea, Doctor Khumalo, Katlego Mashego, Josta Dladla, Jabu Mahlangu, Tonic Chabalala, Joseph Liau, and Katlego Mphela.