Lehlohonolo Motšoari
Veteran Premier League campaigner, Montoeli Sonopo, has roused the ire of his former club, Lioli FC, after revealing candid details about his failed dream move to Atletico de Madrid in Spain in 2012.
Had the move been successful, it would have turned him into one of the brightest stars Lesotho has ever produced in European football.
Then a teenager playing for Lioli FC, Sonopo’s journey to Atletico seemed destined for greatness but ended in disappointment after he traveled to Spain for what he said were trials.
Sonopo’s football story started with his impressive performances with Nyenye Rovers in the A Division League, which led to his move to the 2023/24 Vodacom Premier League (VPL) champions, Lioli FC.
Known for his silky and colorful skills and goal-scoring ability, he quickly became a significant threat in the Premier League after signing for Lioli. He also shone on the international scene after turning out for the junior national team, Makoanyane XI, where his talent caught the attention of international scouts.
His immense talent eventually earned him an international trial in Cameroon, where he was the only Mosotho among about a hundred boys trying to play in Europe. This trial led to his short-lived journey with Atletico Madrid.
Now, for the first time after 12 years, Sonopo spoke in a recent podcast interview with an online publishing platform. He said he learned that Atletico refused to finalise the deal due to having to pay a transfer fee to acquire his services, contesting that he came from an inferior league.
Sonopo claimed that after seemingly meeting all the requirements, he was awaiting a clearance from his club to join the Spanish giants.
“All I was waiting for was my clearance,” Sonopo told Matchday, adding that he almost quit football due to the sheer heartbreak following the collapsed move.
“I had thought it was over with my career,” he added.
He even considered faking an injury as an excuse for his failed move to Europe after things did not work out. But his wife was a pillar of support, always proudly wearing the jersey of whichever team he played for and showing public affection. His supporters also stood by him in the aftermath of the failed move.
Reacting to Sonopo’s interview, Lioli has disputed some of the details he revealed. The club denied that Sonopo went to Spain for trials, but was merely there to be marketed by his Cameroon-based agent.
“Lioli and the management at that time paid significant sums of money to send Sonopo to a camp in Cameroon after he was discovered by an agent from that country. It is not true that he had trials with Atletico Madrid in Cameroon as he claims.
“In Cameroon, Sonopo attended what is called a camp, which is very common in West African countries. Players are gathered together by agents who then select those they want to market to European teams. This is not a trial at all. When he went to Spain, he was not invited by Atletico Madrid but was taken by an agent to be marketed, and we paid all the costs to ensure he was in that place. Mr. Sonopo did not succeed in his efforts. The Lioli team received weekly reports and forwarded them to Sonopo by phone. Sonopo knows the full truth about why he failed.”
The club also refuted Sonopo’s claims about the clearance.
“Lioli and the agent never discussed a clearance at all, and Sonopo knows this truth. Lioli never directly interacted with the team, as it was the agent’s responsibility as usual. The suspicion is that Mr. Sonopo is just trying to cover his embarrassment over this matter, as we agreed with him that it would not be in his best interest to publicize what was the team’s concern. The truth is that Sonopo failed to pass the trials as a player, not that he was denied due to clearance issues. He knows this very well.”
Lioli has also expressed its disappointment over Sonopo’s utterances after the efforts it took to get him the move.
“It is truly regrettable that today Sonopo does not appreciate the team that sacrificed so much for him.”
Sonopo has joined Morija-based Premier League side, Lijabatho FC, after a brilliant 2023/24 season with Botha Bothe-based Lifofane FC ahead of the new season.