Top 4 Cup returns with charitable twist

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Football enthusiasts, get ready for a thrilling return! After a long hiatus, the Top 4 Cup is making a comeback. The Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) and Maluti Mountain Cement (MMC) have joined forces to breathe new life into the once-coveted tournament, unveiling the exciting news at a press briefing on Wednesday. The Top 4 Cup, which has been a staple in Lesotho’s football calendar, has been absent since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The return of the tournament not only reignites football passion but also brings a significant humanitarian aspect. This year’s event will serve as a charitable initiative, aiming to uplift communities in need.

For the first time, the competition has been rebranded as the Maluti Charity Cup. “We said let us try to bring back the Top 4, but at the same time continue with charity,” MMC’s External Sales Consultant, Makoa Semethe, told Public Eye in an interview.

The tournament will take place on October 5 at the Leshoboro Stadium in Mafeteng, with Semethe revealing that proceeds will be donated to the Mafeteng street vendors as part of MMC’s community outreach. The idea of charity in football was sparked by the success of last year’s Berea Charity Cup, another MMC-sponsored event. That tournament, which featured Lioli, Maroala, Amigos, and guest team Bantu, raised M50,000 for the street vendors of Berea. Semethe hopes that the Top 4 Cup will continue this trend, bringing the community together for a worthy cause while delivering top-quality football.

“Our aim as Maluti Mountain Cement is to help the Mafeteng community with the gate-takings. We decided to sponsor the Top 4 to attract a big crowd and collect enough funds for charity,” he said. With MMC contributing M800,000 to fund the tournament, expectations are high.

Semethe expressed confidence that this year’s competition would surpass the standards of the previous charity cup.  “Last year’s tournament was very successful because it was our first time, and we expect this year’s standard to be even higher,” he said.

PLMC’s new chairman, Hlompho Maitin, echoed these sentiments, stating that the revival of the Top 4 Cup aligns with his committee’s mission. “It is our mandate as PLMC to have enough cup competitions, especially traditional tournaments like the Top 4 and Top 8,” Maitin said.  These tournaments, he said, are essential for both the improvement of the sport and the financial stability of the clubs involved.

“The absence of the Top 4 Cup over the past years has hurt local clubs financially. Now that it is back, teams can look forward to competing not just for pride but for financial rewards too,” Maitin added.

Football fans can expect a day packed with thrilling matches. The 2023/24 Premier League’s fourth-placed Lesotho Mountain Police Services (LMPS) will face off against third-placed Bantu in the opening match. Following that, reigning champions Lioli will take on runners-up Matlama in what promises to be an epic battle.

The winners from both matches will meet in the final later on the day. The rewards for this intense competition are enticing: the winners will walk away with M100,000, while the runners-up will pocket M50,000.  Semi-finalists will not leave empty-handed, as they are set to receive M25,000 each.

Individual player performances will not go unnoticed either. The Man of the Match from each game will be rewarded M2,000, while standout individuals such as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament will collect M3,000 and M5,000 respectively.

Maitin also hinted that the return of the Top 4 Cup is just the beginning. His committee plans to reintroduce other beloved competitions such as the Top 8 Cup, ensuring that Lesotho’s football scene remains dynamic and competitive. “Our goal is to attract more companies to invest in football, as they will benefit in the long run,” he said.

With the Maluti Charity Cup bringing both excitement and philanthropy, it is not just a football tournament – it is an opportunity for the community to come together for a great cause. As October 5 approaches, fans can prepare for an exhilarating day of top-tier football, knowing that their presence and support will make a tangible difference in the lives of Mafeteng’s street vendors.