A surge in People’s Cup rivalry
SEBONGILE MATHE
MASERU – The number of teams participating in this year’s People’s Cup has been increased by the same amount as the number of teams that competed in the previous two editions of the tournament. The Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) Secretary General, Teboho Khesa, announced during a press briefing at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena on Tuesday that beginning this year, the number of participating teams will increase from four to eight.
“The tournament will now have eight teams instead of four, to make it more exciting,” said Khesa. He said as in previous years, teams competing for the People’s Cup will be selected through an SMS voting process. “The quarterfinals will be held at two venues, meanly DiFA Mohale’s Hoek on March 8 and DiFA (Leribe) Maputsoe on March 9.”
“The semifinals and the final will, as usual, be held at Bocheletsane Stadium in Mantšonyane on March 15,” Khesa said. Khesa said this year’s winners would receive M500 000, a decrease from the M650 000 awarded to last year’s winners.
According to Baba Malephane from the Sam Matekane Foundation, a co-sponsor of the tournament, the difference is due to last year’s total sponsorship being increased by M200, 000 in celebration of the country’s 200th anniversary.
At the time, the sponsorship amounted to M1.7 million, compared to this year’s M1.5 million. “The total sponsorship for the tournament is M1.5 million, with the winners receiving M500 000, the runners-up M200 000, and both third and fourth place teams M100 000 each, while the fifth to eighth-placed teams will each receive M40 000,” Khesa said.
Aside from the decrease in the winning prize, the other prizes, including those for the runners-up and quarter-finalists, will remain unchanged. “The Player of the Tournament will receive M5, 000, the Top Goal-scorer M4 000, and the Goalkeeper of the Tournament M2 000.
“The Man of the Match in the quarterfinals will receive M1 000, while the Man of the Match in the semifinals will take home M1 500,” Khesa said. On behalf of Econet Telecom Lesotho, a co-sponsor of the tournament, Seeiso Molapo said together with their co-sponsors, the Sam Matekane Foundation, their aim is to foster the growth of sports.
Molapo further said: “As Econet Telecom Lesotho, we have established a voting system with two methods: SMS and EcoCash.” Voting opened on February 19 and will close on March 1. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Sports, Motlatsi Maqelepo, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance Lesotho’s sports infrastructure.
The minister stated that despite the country’s 59 years of independence, investment in sports has remained insufficient.
“This government recognizes the importance of such investment, which is why Setsoto Stadium will undergo a two-year upgrade to meet international standards, rather than a mere renovation,” said Maqelepo.
The Minister further stated that their goal is to create durable and high-quality sports facilities. On the other hand, Mokhosi Mohapi, the Secretary General of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), expressed concerns over the People’s Cup sponsors and organizers, criticizing them for placing a financial burden on fans by requiring payment for votes while also expecting their attendance at matches.
“Despite already covering transportation, food, drinks and tickets, fans are still burdened with these additional expenses,” said Mohapi.
The LeFA Secretary General also voiced concerns that the current voting system could potentially facilitate money laundering as large-scale voting by individuals, groups or fans may not reflect genuine results.
The People’s Cup is intended to promote community involvement and support the growth of football in Lesotho.
Matlama are the defending champions of the tournament, having won it in both 2023 and 2024.
