For many children growing up in Ha-Thamae, football is a game played in the dusty streets after school.
For 23-year-old Seeiso Monyane, it became the starting point of a journey that has taken him from a community football team to a career at Kick4Life.
Today, Monyane is an assistant football coach, referee, hospitality professional and long-distance runner, with football continuing to shape his personal and professional development.
His football journey began at the age of 12 after his childhood friend, Teboho Mophethe, encouraged him to join local side Thamae FC, which was coached by current Kick4Life Senior Women’s Assistant Coach Teboho Takisi.
“It was just another football team in the community,” Monyane recalls. “I never imagined that joining it would shape the course of my life.”
His breakthrough came in 2014 when Kick4Life Development Coach Molefi Katane invited Thamae FC to take part in a FIFA World Cup-themed youth tournament at the Football for Hope Centre in Maseru. Each participating team represented one of the countries competing at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Monyane impressed during the tournament and was invited to attend Kick4Life’s development trials, where he secured a place in the academy.
He spent the next three years developing as a player before his progress was interrupted in 2017 when his parents advised him to focus on his studies after becoming concerned that football was affecting his academic performance.
Although he stepped away from the game, football remained an important part of his life.
In 2019, he returned to Kick4Life determined to continue his football development. However, another setback followed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic brought organised football to a halt.
When football resumed in 2021, Monyane rejoined the Under-17 team but suffered a serious knee injury that ruled him out of playing.
Instead of leaving the sport, he looked for other ways to contribute.
He qualified as a referee through the Lesotho Football Association and began officiating B-Division matches, including games involving Kick4Life’s development side, Juventude.
His commitment and willingness to learn earned the attention of Juventude Head Coach Mukete Mboh. Following the club’s successful 2022/23 season, which ended with promotion to the A-Division, Mboh appointed Monyane as his assistant coach.
“He’s going to go far because he’s always learning,” Mboh said.
“He asks the right questions, thinks carefully before acting, and is willing to take on new challenges.”
The appointment also opened another opportunity when Kick4Life nominated him to attend a Maseru District Football Association coaching course, where he obtained a Confederation of African Football (CAF) D Licence.
Alongside his coaching duties with Juventude, Monyane also volunteers in Kick4Life’s Soccer School programme, helping to develop children from the age of four through football, education and life skills.
His involvement with the organisation later led to full-time employment after he was appointed Duty Officer at Kick4Life’s Hokahanya Inn and Conference Centre.
His line manager, Busisiwe Potiane, says he has grown significantly in the role.
“We’ve seen a huge improvement in his communication skills and professionalism,” she said.
“He interacts exceptionally well with guests and always creates a welcoming environment.”
Beyond football, Monyane has also established himself as a long-distance runner after joining Kick4Life’s weekly Community Run4YourLife programme.
His progress was rewarded on 9 May this year when he won the 21-kilometre race at the Alliance Hillbusterz Last Long Run Marathon, one of Lesotho’s leading distance-running events.
Despite the milestones he has achieved, Monyane says he is focused on continuing to learn.
“I would like to thank Kick4Life for the opportunities it has given me,” he said.
“From coaching certification and football-related training to safeguarding in sport, social and emotional competencies, customer service and hospitality training, the skills I am acquiring are shaping me into a well-rounded, employable individual. I can already see my life changing, and I look forward to the future.”
At 23, Monyane’s journey with Kick4Life has taken him from academy player to referee, assistant coach, CAF-qualified coach, hospitality professional and marathon winner, demonstrating how opportunities in football can open doors beyond the game itself.
Summary
- For 23-year-old Seeiso Monyane, it became the starting point of a journey that has taken him from a community football team to a career at Kick4Life.
- His breakthrough came in 2014 when Kick4Life Development Coach Molefi Katane invited Thamae FC to take part in a FIFA World Cup-themed youth tournament at the Football for Hope Centre in Maseru.
- He spent the next three years developing as a player before his progress was interrupted in 2017 when his parents advised him to focus on his studies after becoming concerned that football was affecting his academic performance.
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.
