Members Football Club have etched their name into A Division history with a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout triumph over Maroala FC, sealing their place in the Premier League and lifting the crown as undisputed champions of the 2024/25 A Division League.
The high-stakes playoff match, a clash of the best from the Northern and Southern streams, lived up to its billing, even as it ended 0–0 in regulation time.
But it was in the penalty shootout where Members showed nerves of steel, converting four of their spot-kicks and sealing a monumental victory in front of a roaring crowd.
Organised by the A Division League Committee and backed by Nedbank Lesotho, Sunday’s encounter wasn’t just a promotion decider, it was a statement of supremacy by a club that bounced back from mid-season disappointment to rise above the rest.
“We regrouped with one clear objective, promotion,” said a visibly elated Members coach, Ntlaloe Ntlaloe, reflecting on the team’s journey after a shock early exit in the Nedbank 8 tournament.
“That loss hurt us, but it became motivation.”
Members’ triumph came with a M25,000 cash prize, but far more valuable was their entry into Lesotho’s elite football tier, a remarkable turnaround in a season that, at one point, appeared to be slipping from their grasp.
Despite facing a Maroala side hailed for their near-flawless run in the playoffs and a Nedbank 8 semi-final appearance, Members held firm under pressure. Coach Ntlaloe admitted his players approached the match with respect bordering on caution.
“Maroala had been flawless… That had an impact on how we approached the game mentally,” he said. Still, he lauded his side’s discipline and execution. “Our strategy was to close defensive gaps and remain disciplined. It paid off.”
The victory not only marks a personal redemption for Ntlaloe, who had previously led LU FC to a league title but fell short in cup competition, but also positions Members as a club to watch in the coming Premier League season.
For Maroala, the loss was a bitter pill after an inspired playoff campaign. Club President Moeketsi Thebe pointed to adverse weather and accumulated fatigue as key factors in their underwhelming final performance.
“This week’s cold snap disrupted our training schedule… We did not rest well. It showed today,” said Thebe.
He remained hopeful despite the narrow loss: “We have learned important lessons. We will regroup, and in 2025/26, we aim to come back stronger.”
Members now follow in the footsteps of Majantja, who similarly earned promotion last year. Their rise signals a shifting dynamic in Lesotho football, as ambitious clubs from the A Division continue to challenge the status quo.
As the spotlight shifts to the Premier League, all eyes will be on how Members adapt, and whether coach Ntlaloe’s vision for top-flight stability and success can turn a fairytale season into sustained glory.
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.
