Linare Football Club have finally shaken close to a decade of heartache and reclaimed their place in the spotlight after recently clinching the Ramela and Associates Tournament crown, a triumph that could mark the rebirth of one of Lesotho’s sleeping giants.
The Leribe-based outfit, starved of silverware for what felt like an eternity, edged Bantu FC 5–4 on penalties in a tense final at a jam-packed DIFA Maputsoe Stadium last Sunday.
For years Linare’s loyal supporters endured banter being thrown their way by other clubs’ supporters as the team seemed to spurn every trophy opportunity that came their way. It is believed that the last time Linare lifted a cup was in 2015.
And now this victory should feel like more than just a cup win, but a glimpse of future glory and hope that under their new South African mentor, Jabulani Mendu, the club’s hibernation might finally be over.
“This is a result of hard work and understanding our roles,” Mendu said, visibly moved after his side’s breakthrough. “Even without Thato Sefoli, who is away on national duty, the team stepped up.”
The championship match itself was a gritty chess game. Bantu, brimming with attacking flair, could not break down Linare’s disciplined rearguard marshalled by the tournament’s standout performer, Tieho Ntulo.
With veteran Mabuti Potloane pulling strings in midfield and goalkeeper Ntsane Molise proving unshakable between the posts, Linare carried themselves with the poise of a team rediscovering its pedigree.
For Mendu, this win is not the final destination but the first step towards a greater mission, as he warned that the coming season will be fiercely contested.
“Teams have strengthened during the pre-season, and we have been testing ourselves in friendlies against top sides. The squad is shaping up well.”
The two-day tournament itself was a celebration of local football, drawing four Premier League clubs and four A-Division League hopefuls. Linare’s road to glory began with a narrow but spirited victory over arch-rivals Lioli, before their nerve and tactical discipline carried them all the way to the title, along with a handsome M150,000 purse.
Bantu, runners-up on the day, pocketed M75,000, while Matlama and Lioli settled for M40,000 each.
Tse Tala’s (The Greens) did not just end with the trophy, but they also swept the individual player accolades too. Molise was named Best Goalkeeper, Ntulo Player of the Tournament, while Bantu’s Motse Khiba claimed Top Scorer honours.
The Vodacom Premier League season kicks off on September 13, and all eyes will be on Linare as they take on Manonyane in what could be the beginning of a remarkable new chapter for the Leribe giants.
Despite their defeat to Linare, Bantu’s coach Motheo ‘Six to Six’ Mohapi found solace in the progress of his evolving squad.
“We created many chances, but we were not clinical enough. We have studied Linare closely from the Alliance Challenge and their match against Lioli, and we had a plan. Unfortunately, we just fell short in the shootout,” he said.
Summary
- Linare Football Club have finally shaken close to a decade of heartache and reclaimed their place in the spotlight after recently clinching the Ramela and Associates Tournament crown, a triumph that could mark the rebirth of one of Lesotho’s sleeping giants.
- Linare Football Club have finally shaken close to a decade of heartache and reclaimed their place in the spotlight after recently clinching the Ramela and Associates Tournament crown .
- The Vodacom Premier League season kicks off on September 13, and all eyes will be on Linare as they take on Manonyane in what could be the beginning of a remarkable new chapter for the Leribe giants.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
