‘Stiga’ at a crossroads

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Bantu FC’s out of contract midfielder, Hlompho Kalake, is expected to ink a new contract with the flamboyant Mafeteng football outfit today. This amid speculation that he is being lured to the rival Linare camp for the new season, with the rumour mill suggesting promises of a lucrative offer and a permanent job are being dangled in front of him to migrate to Leribe. Kalake, 25, was previously linked with a move to Botswana’s premiership side Township Rollers.

Communications and Marketing Manager at Bantu, Bokang Phasumane, said the Mafeteng based-side management on Wednesday last week and “the expectation is that Hlompho will agree to new terms with the club.” All other players at the club whose contracts had expired have already signed on the dotted line, according to Phasumane, except for Kalake “who received his new offer and contract but asked to take it home for consideration and input with his next-of-kin before signing.” “Hlompho Kalake is the only player who has not yet renewed his contract with us after expiration of previous contracts; players like Lundokuhle Phunguwla, Lazola Jokojokwana, Tau Masiu, Thabo Lesaoana and Bokang Sello have since renewed their contracts,” Phasumane told this publication.

“To be honest, Hlompho is no longer our player since his contract with us has expired, and we know Linare are out to sign him…just like we do.” Linare’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Lebese Molati, failed to confirm his club’s interest in the player while speaking to this paper, but admitted supporters have been loud demanding that Kalake be brought to Leribe. “The supporters want us to sign ‘Stiga’, but thus far we haven’t offered the player any job or contract.”

“We sign players according to the technical team’s demands but as we speak, our technical team has never said anything and on bringing ‘Stiga’ on board,” added Molati. Kalake, who joined Bantu from Matlama in 2013, has won numerous cups with ‘A matšo Matebele’, including the league title, the Independence and Top 8 Cups. He has also previously been linked with a move to the Lesotho Defence Force FC just before the Econet Premier League was suspended due to the COVID-19 global lockdown.