Chris Theko
Lesotho International, Litšepe Marabe, will be starting his sporting journey in a higher league division with a new club in Bhutan after his short stint with the Indian second division, BASCO SC.
The former Bantu FC forward will wear the red and white of the premier league side, Transport United FC, a Bhutanese professional football club that competes in the Bhutan Premier League, the top level of Bhutanese football.
The Southern Asian club was founded in 2001.
In the 2017 season, they finished the season undefeated with 9 wins and 1 draw out of 10 matches, hence claiming their fifth national title and thus qualifying for the AFC Cup for the very first time.
Marabe moved to India in February 2022 shortly after leaving the Mafeteng-based side Bantu, a side which he featured in for many years guiding it to league glory in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
The 30-year-old was the 2019/20 premier league golden boot winner in which season he scored 14 goals for Bantu.
In an exclusive interview with Newsday Sport this week, Marabe said the deal came after his discussion with his agent to allow for expansion outside the country, and when the opportunity to play in India availed itself, he took it.
“I had a conversation with my agent to make the move possible because I felt like I was stagnant being in India. I was not even playing in the premier league,†Marabe said.
His contract with Transport United is only for a year at the end of which he said he will decide on whether he renews it or moves on to another club.
“I am happy with this move, this place is welcoming and the team is one of the best performing in the Bhutan top flight and it has so many successes over the years,†Marabe said.
Before joining Transport United, Marabe was set to join Southern Samity FC, but that move failed to materialise.
During his brief stay with BASCO, he started in three games and managed to secure a 100 percent showing, scoring three goals and assisting one assist, and saw his team scoop honours for Group A winners.
Despite having had a successful season with his previous team, Marabe missed out on a call-up for the national team duty as the country begins the journey of contesting in the Group stages for qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations set for Ivory Coast next year.
Commenting on the matter, Marabe said he is neither worried nor will he be demoralised by the decision of the coaches.
“I am no longer surprised when I do not get the national team call-ups because that is the decision of the coaches. I also do not think I am not national team material,†he said.
