Makateng’s Richards Bay deal sealed

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Prolific Lesotho Defence Force FC (LDF) striker, Katleho Makateng, left the country on Monday this week to join South African DStv premiership rookies Richards Bay on a two-year contract. LDF FC’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Tony Ntakha, confirmed these developments to Public Eye on the same day the player left the country. Ntakha said Makateng signed a two-year contract with Richards Bay, with an option for a renewal.

“As we speak, Katleho Makateng has signed a two-year contract with Richards Bay, with an option for renewal,” said Ntakha in interview with Public Eye. “He is leaving today at 16:00hrs from the Moshoeshoe I International Airport to OR Tambo.” Ntakha further said: “I am from his home (Pitseng in Leribe) to fetch his parents so that they can bid their child farewell as he flies to South Africa.

According to Ntakha, Makateng has not resigned as a soldier. “We could not deny the boy a chance to play in South Africa. Instead, we had to support his decision. To us, he is just going for a two-year course and will come back to share with us what he will be learned over there.” Ntakha further said: “In short, Makateng is still a soldier, who is just leaving for a task somewhere…he will remain a soldier.”

Makateng’s move to Richards Bay has ended speculation that the LDF striker was actually going to join Kaizer Chiefs. “Yes, Kaizer Chiefs called us seeking the player’s services, but to date, they have never made us any offer,” Ntakha said. Makateng’s move to Richards Bay comes after his impressive performance at the just-ended Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup in Durban, South Africa.

The Lesotho striker scored a second goal in a 2-1 win over Malawi in the two teams’ opening fixture of the COSAFA tournament, after he forced an own goal by one Malawian defender before. Makateng was voted Man of the Match for both the Malawi game and the Mauritius match, which Likuena won 2-1. But Likuena failed to proceed beyond group stages after they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of eSwatini in a last group stage match.

Makateng also contributed to Likuena’s progression to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stages as he scored a brace when Lesotho knocked Seychelles out of the preliminary stage of the qualifiers. Likuena beat Seychelles 3-1 home after a goalless draw away in the first leg. Makateng became top goal-scorer with 20 goals in his first season in Lesotho’s top-flight league, in the last season of 2020/21. He also won Player of the Season Award, Players Player of the Season Award and Young Player of the Season Award, apart from the Top Goal-scorer Award.