LeFA boss sojourns boys’ academy
SEBONGILE MATHE
MASERU – Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) President Advocate Salemane Phafane (KC) on Saturday visited the National Academy in Maputsoe to monitor progress made as the 33 male kids prepare to reunite with their families for the first time after months during the Easter Holidays.
According to LeFA’s statement, the players scouted as LeFA rolled out the Talent Development Scheme country-wide in 2023, began their journey at the Academy in Maputsoe in January undergoing both football and academic trainings together.
“LeFA have since roped in a technical team to work with the players consisting of renowned youth coach Mahlomola Matšoara, former Majantja and Bantu goalkeeper coach Leuta Makhoa, Tumelo Bale as the kit manager, safeguarding officer Ratang Mapholo as well as a medical personnel Mokoena Makenete,” reads the statement.
The statement further reads that LeFA boss expressed his delight at the progress made by the kids both academically and with their football programme.
They have been playing in C Division of the Maputsoe Zone.
The academy in Leribe is a collaboration of LeFA and the world football governing body, FIFA through the Talent Development Scheme (TDS) rolled out in 2023 with the scouting of talented young players born between 2011-2012.
Prior to the start of the academy, Mokhosi Mohapi the General Secretary of LeFA said the reason LeFA chose to set up an academy in Leribe is that they did not want to place them (boys) in Maseru adding that since Maseru is the headquarters they wouldn’t want to overwhelm the headquarters.
The boys could somehow lose their spark, Mokhosi said in the interview at the time.
He highlighted strict needs of the location being a place with a school with a boarding facility they could use, and a proper football field that is closer to a hospital.
This, Mokhosi said, is what made Leribe a place of choice – safe and secure.
“In Maseru, the challenge is, it is too much for kids to learn, so we want to remove them away from the culture that will distract them from learning and focusing on their football, and take them to other environments and provide them with immunities,” said Mokhosi.
A similar project for girls will follow in Mohale’s Hoek come next year with 33 girls already earmarked for placement at the academy.
They will also be attending school while undergoing their football development together.
Mohapi said in other districts they (LeFA) will have football development programmes but not residents’ academies that will run year long, and feature Under 12 and 13.
He said they will run the same strategy over an over to get new kids to train yearly.
The decision by LeFA to establish a TDS programme academy in Leribe marks a significant step forward for Lesotho football.
By investing in young talent and providing them with quality training, LeFA is laying the foundation for a brighter future for the sport in the country.
As the academy develops, it has the potential to produce talented players who can represent Lesotho on the international stage and inspire the next generation of footballers.
