The Vodacom Premier League (VPL) has received a significant boost ahead of the 2026/27 season following Stanlib’s commitment of M250,000 towards the league’s Man of the Match awards.
The investment company will sponsor the individual awards throughout the season, with every outstanding player receiving M1,000 after each Premier League match.
The sponsorship follows an approach by the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) to Stanlib, seeking support for the league and its players.
Stanlib Managing Director MohlabinyaneMohapi said the sponsorship came at an appropriate time as the company celebrates 25 years of operations in Lesotho.
Mohapi said the anniversary had prompted Stanlib to look for meaningful ways of giving back to the communities in which it operates.
The company subsequently considered the PLMC’s proposal and identified football as an opportunity to contribute to one of the country’s most popular sporting codes.
“For us, this is a way of giving back to the community and supporting football in the country,” Mohapi said.
He said football’s ability to bring Basotho together was among the reasons the company decided to support the Man of the Match awards.
According to Mohapi, the 2026/27 VPL season is expected to feature 240 matches, making the sponsorship a significant investment in recognising individual excellence.
He said rewarding players for outstanding performances could provide additional motivation while contributing to the development of football.
Mohapi added that Stanlib’s 25th anniversary was not only about celebrating the company’s achievements, but also about making a meaningful contribution to society.
On his part, Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) President LiJane Nthunya welcomed the sponsorship, saying it aligns with the association’s vision of promoting excellence and restoring a winning mentality among teams and players.
Nthunya said the initiative fits into LeFA’s concept of “Reward for Excellence”, which seeks to encourage higher standards and improve the quality of football in the country.
He said recognising the best player in every match could have a positive effect on players because outstanding performances would be acknowledged and rewarded.
Nthunya described the initiative as historic, particularly because the sponsorship will cover the Man of the Match award for every Premier League fixture.
He also expressed appreciation to Stanlib for responding positively to the PLMC’s request and recognising the importance of working with football stakeholders to develop the game.
According to Nthunya, collaboration between the private sector, football authorities and the PLMC is important in efforts to improve the standard and competitiveness of domestic football.
He further thanked Stanlib for choosing football as one of the areas through which it would give back to the community during its anniversary celebrations.
PLMC Chairman Letsie Nokoane described the sponsorship as a major achievement and said it was encouraging for the league to enter the new season with such a development.
Nokoane said the partnership would raise the profile of the VPL while giving players an additional incentive to compete for individual recognition.
He said knowing that strong performances could earn them the Man of the Match award would encourage players to give their best on the pitch.
Nokoane believes the initiative could help identify and bring out the best performers while contributing to improvements in the overall quality of domestic football.
He also said the sponsorship demonstrated the important role the private sector can play in supporting the development of sport in Lesotho.
The Vice President of the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC), Kamohelo Hlomisi, also welcomed Stanlib’s involvement, highlighting the role of sport in social development.
Hlomisi said one of the LSRC’s priorities is improving sporting infrastructure, including playing fields, to provide athletes with better facilities in which to develop their talents.
He said football has the ability to unite communities and create connections between people and nations, making continued investment in the sport important.
Hlomisi added that initiatives such as the Stanlib sponsorship could help create an environment in which players are encouraged to develop their abilities.
He stressed that continued support from companies and other stakeholders remains important to the growth of sport, particularly given football’s large following across Lesotho.
Summary
- He also expressed appreciation to Stanlib for responding positively to the PLMC’s request and recognising the importance of working with football stakeholders to develop the game.
- PLMC Chairman Letsie Nokoane described the sponsorship as a major achievement and said it was encouraging for the league to enter the new season with such a development.
- He also said the sponsorship demonstrated the important role the private sector can play in supporting the development of sport in Lesotho.
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.
