‘Shoes’ returns to Lioli’s nest

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Travelled football coach, Mosholu ‘Shoes’ Mokhothu is the new Lioli FC coach. Mokhothu returns to the Teyateyaneng-based giants after a short spell with Manonyane FC which he mentored at the beginning of the currently suspended season; he had had a similarly brief stay at Sefothafotha FC.

He quit Manonyane this week, over non-payment of his monthly salary; reports are that he is owned several months’ pay. Mokhothu replaces South African coach, Thomas Tshabalala, at the helm of Lioli; the South African died after a being appointed to lead the club and playing only three league matches of the current 2020/2021 season. He was from A-Division Lifofane.

He takes over from caretaker coach Vuyisane Mangaliso who was put in charge of the team following the Tshabalala’s demise – also a South African national. Mangaliso served as Tshabalala’s assistant when the coach was roped in September 2020.

Lioli started the current season a promising outfit under Tshabalala, winning their opening two matches, 4-1 over CCX FC and 2-0 over Linare before losing the third game 2-1 to Lijabatho.

The team’s 2019/2020 campaign had proved a nightmare, with both a dismal showing that was coupled with both internal strife and off-the-pitch troubles under another South African coach Morena Ramorebodi. Ramoreboli eventually parted ways with the club despite having been offered a new deal to carry on with his work at helm of ‘Tse Nala’.

‘Shoes’ has won the national league titles more than two times, Top-4 as well as the Top-4 several times in his previous stints with Lioli.