Marabe joins Indian top division side
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Former Bantu FC attacking midfielder, Litšepe Marabe, has left Basco FC to join another Indian top side, Southern Samity. Marabe this week confirmed his dream move from the fourth-division playing Basco FC in the Kerala Premier League in India, to a I-League 2nd Division side, Samity, in Kolkata State.
The I-League 2nd Division is the third-tier of the All India Football Federation (AIFA) since the introduction of the Indian Super League. Before then, the I-League 2nd Division was the second-tier after the I-League which was then the Indian top-flight football league. “I have moved from Kerala State to Kolkata State, and it’s a different league and standard,” said Marabe in an interview with Public Eye on Monday.
“I am now going to play for a 2nd division team called Southern Samity.” Marabe leaves Basco FC after his three-month contract expired last month. The former Matlama and Bantu utility player has signed a three-month with Samity. Marabe has landed a new contract with Samity after an impressive performance with Basco FC last season.
This despite the fact that Marabe had to miss seven league games out 10 due to a long registration process for foreign players in India. But still, Marabe’s presence was felt in the last three league games with Basco. He shone in his first game where he assisted in all 2 goals in a 2-2 draw against Parapprur. Marabe scored three goals in three league matches with Basco, one of them being a penalty which he created himself.
Basco topped their group after finishing the season without losing any game. They, however, failed to win promotion to the I-League 2nd Division after losing in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs. Joining a top division side in the Asian continent is a dream come true for Marabe. The 2019/20 Vodacom Premier League top goal-scorer told Public Eye in April this year that he eyed a move to any top division side in the Asian continent after the short-stint with Basco.
“I still need to work harder than before. I will only be pleased if I could be in the top-flight teams’ setup here in Asia, not only in India,” Marabe said. Marabe further said: “Of course, it is so far encouraging to realise that I am slowly moving up steps (to top divisions), but I still need to leave a mark at my new team.” The Indian football season is expected to start in the middle of this month and Marabe’s new team was yet to start preparing for the new season.
