Seabata Mahao
The Lesotho Premier League (LPL) has entered its fifth week of the 2024/25 season without a sponsor, as negotiations with former sponsors Vodacom Lesotho (VCL) remain unresolved.
VCL’s three-year sponsorship deal concluded at the end of the 2023/24 season, and the two parties have yet to reach an agreement for the new season.
As each game progresses without a sponsor, there is growing uncertainty among the participating clubs about their financial ability to honour match commitments.
The lack of a sponsorship deal also raises concerns about the sustainability of the league and the future of the crucial prize monies that the participating teams play for, as an added motivation.
In an exclusive interview the Premier League Management Committee’s (PLMC), spokesperson Moeketsi Ramakatsa, he said the discussions re still ongoing with VCL. He did not indicate whether there were other potential sponsors they were speaking to.
This would suggest that should the ongoing talks with VCL fail to yield positive results, the PLMC may have to ask for the national football’s mother body, Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) to step in and bankroll the current league campaign.
“I believe that Vodacom Lesotho will sponsor the league, but we will only disclose all the details once the negotiations are finalised,” Ramakatsa told Newsday Sports this week.
Katleho Pefole, VCL’s External Affairs Manager, said the company is not at liberty to share details of the negotiations. However, he assured that all information would be made public once the talks are complete.
Coincidentally, the PLMCs’ struggles to secure league sponsorship come in the wake of its executive committee elections during the off-season, which ushered in a new leadership, ousting the one that had secured the previous VCL deal.
Despite the sponsorship uncertainties, there is plenty of excitement for football fans this weekend. Matlama Football Club (FC) will host LU FC at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena on October 26. This highly anticipated fixture is sure to attract a large crowd as both teams look to secure vital points.
Other matches scheduled for this weekend include Machokha FC hosting Liphakoe FC at Ratjomose Ground, and Matlama facing LU at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena on Saturday at 13:00 hours.
Sunday’s fixtures include Mzamane FC hosting Lijabatho FC at DIFA Maputsoe Ground, Manonyane FC taking on LCS FC at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, and Majantja FC facing Lifofane FC at DIFA Mohale’s Hoek at 15:00 hours.
As the league progresses, Mzamane FC and Liphakoe FC remain the only teams that have lost all their matches, managing to score just one goal each.
Last weekend’s action saw Matlama dominate Lijabatho FC, securing a 2-1 victory, while Bantu FC defeated LCS FC in an intense match, also finishing with a 2-1 scoreline. Matlama’s star striker opened the scoring, and although Lijabatho equalised in the second half, Matlama clinched the win with a late goal.
In another exciting match, Bantu FC and LCS reignited their long-standing rivalry. Both teams displayed skill and determination, but it was Bantu FC who emerged victorious, capitalizing on their opportunities and securing a 2-1 win.
