Mabita Gorillas in financial crisis

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU– A shadow of uncertainty looms over the future of the Econet Rugby League’s rookies, Mabita Gorillas, as financial struggles grip the team.

Last weekend, Gorillas were unable to honour their much-anticipated fixture against Liqhomane because they could not afford the travel expenses from their base in Butha-Buthe to the Mabote Ground in Berea.

The setback is not just a loss on the field but a symptom of a larger issue plaguing grassroots rugby development in Lesotho.

The match was set to be a thrilling double-header, where the hosts, Mabote Beavers, would take on the Lesotho Rugby Academy after Gorillas’ match. The Beavers went on to triumph over the Academy by 42-23 in a dynamic clash that captivated spectators. However, for the Gorillas, the absence from the pitch marked a deepening crisis that has left fans and players alike disheartened.

In an interview with Public Eye, Gorillas’ head coach Nyasha Roy Zhou did not shy away from the painful reality that his team is facing.

“We are just having financial problems,” Zhou said with a heavy heart. “We do not have the money to keep up with the league. The team is still alive and training, but without funding, we cannot make it to the games. We are doing our best to survive.”

Zhou’s words reflect the dire situation for a team that once thrived thanks to the support of local businesses and individuals who believed in their potential.

“We used to have sponsors. We had one from 207, and we were also backed twice by the Honourable Mohlomi Moleko,” Zhou recalled.

Moleko’s sponsorship was a lifeline, especially for the Sevens games. Additionally, businesses like Butha-Buthe Motor Spares had stepped in to offer financial support during crucial league fixtures.

Yet, the winds of fortune have shifted, leaving the team to fend for themselves. Zhou shared that the team had to bear the financial burden of their most recent match against NUL Spears. “For that game, each parent had to contribute M200 to cover the transport costs,” he said. “It costs us about M4, 500 to travel with both the men’s and women’s teams, and that is money we just do not have right now.”

As Gorillas struggle to stay afloat, their opponents are also feeling the impact. Liqhomane’s coach, Semethe Mosoeu, expressed his disappointment at the cancelled match, noting that it disrupted his team’s rhythm. “We were looking forward to play to keep our momentum going, but unfortunately, Gorillas couldn’t make it,” he said.

The disruption did not end there for Liqhomane. Their next fixture against Warriors, which was set for the following weekend, was postponed indefinitely due to Likatola’s test match against the Free State Cheetahs. The national team, Likatola, are gearing up for a crucial test match against Botswana’s national rugby team next month, which has led to the postponement of local league games.

The Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR)’s League Director, Mahlomola Letsie, said that the Econet Rugby League’s second-round fixtures would resume in October, after the international engagements.