Football fraternity continues mourning

…as another veteran administrator passes on

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Following the death of veteran football administrator Thabo Pule a fortnight ago, the local football fraternity has once again been thrown into deep sorrow with the passing of a member of the LeFA’s national executive committee (NEC), Mtwalo Mtwalo. Pule, who was also LeFA’s NEC committee honorary member, was laid to rest last Saturday, a day after the passing of Mtwalo.

Both Mtwalo and Pule were residents of Berea and were former Presidents of the District Football Association (DiFA) Berea. “It is with our heartfelt sympathy that we mourn the death of one of us in Ntate Mothoalo Mothoalo (Mtwalo Mtwalo), who has been part of the LeFA National Executive Committee (NEC) since 2020,” reads LeFA’s media statement.

“His death comes a few days after the football fraternity in Lesotho paid their last respects to LeFA honorary president, Thabo Pule.” The statement further reads: “Ntate Mtwalo was a football man through and through, having served Lioli (FC) for many years as the Vice President as well as the District Football Association of Berea as the President.”

LeFA President King’s Counsel, Salemane Phafane, has also expressed his sorrow over the passing of Mtwalo. “Ntate Mtwalo was a wonderful human being who was very supportive and ambitious as a football administrator,” reads the LeFA media statement. “May God shower Ntate Mtwalo’s grieving family with abundant love and console his football family and friends.”

Phafane further said: “As the leadership of the Lesotho Football Association, we express our sincere condolences to his family, Lioli FC, DiFA Berea, and the football fraternity at large over the loss of one of us. We can only be grateful for the contribution that Ntate Mtwalo made to football in the country.”

Former President of the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC), Mosa Seoli, also offered condolences. “We are saddened by the passing on of our father, friend, and football administrator, Ntate Mtwalo,” said Seoli in an interview with Public Eye on Wednesday.

“He has immensely contributed to Lesotho’s football from my early days as a player when I first met him to the time I started in football management.” Seoli further said: “As a former chairman of the Premier League, I would also like to pass my heartfelt condolences to his family and the football family at large. We will miss his peaceful-looking face in football circles. We really wish his soul to rest in eternal peace.”

Mtwalo also served in the management of Lioli for a long time as the club’s Vice President, until his passing last week. Lioli President, Lebohang Thotanyana said Mtwalo had left a huge void in the administration of Tse Nala.

“He has really left a huge void in our management after working with him for a long time as the club’s Vice President,” said Thotanyana. “This is a big loss not only to us but to the football fraternity in general because Ntate Mtwalo was passionate about football and he had time for it.”

Thotanyana said, as Lioli, they will miss Mtwalo’s negotiation skills, among other things. “We will dearly miss him and his negotiation skills. “He negotiated most of our players’ contracts, and so we will remember him for that and for his good leadership skills.” The Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) also offered their condolences.

“COSAFA would like to extend our sincere condolences to the entire Lesotho football family following the passing of Mr. Mthwalo (Mtwalo) Mthakathi Amos Mthwalo Thaatha,” reads the COSAFA website.

“Commonly referred to as Mr. Mthwalo, at the time of his death he was an incumbent LeFA member and Vice President of Lioli Football Club.” The COSAFA website further reads: “Mr. Mthwalo previously served as the President of the Lioli FC as well as the President of the DiFA Berea.” Mtwalo’s memorial service will be held next Thursday (November 16) at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, and he will be laid to rest on November 18 in Teyateyaneng, Berea.