Chris Theko
Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) rookie-cum-star-forward Katleho Makateng is winner for the top goal-scorer Golden Boot award for the just-ended 2020/21 Vodacom Premier League (VPL) season.
The Pitseng-born striker broke the three-year long 18 goals record set by both Mojela Letsie and former Matlama forward Motebang Sera hitting the 20-goals mark when the season came to a close.
He scored a brace in the last game of the VPL that saw him surpass fellow golden boot contender Makara Ntaitsane of Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) with whom they stood neck-and-neck at 18 goals.
Makateng who joined LDF in January 2021 from Pitseng-side Litšilo which plays in the A-Division, hit the ground running in his first season in the premier league to step his authority amongst fellow strikers.
In an exclusive interview with Newsday Sports this week, the striker expressed his excitement for his achievements in the past year saying he did not expect it all.
“Honestly I am over the moon with excitement because it is every striker’s dream to be the top goal-scorer so I am really grateful that it is me with that achievement.
“When the season began I was just excited to be playing in the premier league and in one of the top teams in the country as young as I am. I was not expecting that I will be the top goal-scorer at the end of my first season in the club,†said Makateng.
Makateng made his presence known in the premier league on his debut season by not only becoming the top goal scorer but also boasted 4 braces and a hat-trick.
The 23-year-old forward saw his hard work in the premier league being awarded when he received his first national team call up in February this year.
He has since scooped two national team caps under the new Likuena coach, Vaselin Jelusic during the Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round against Seychelles where he managed to immediately hit the ground running with two goals. He scored a brace in the second leg at the Dobsonville stadium in South Africa when Likuena won 3-1.
“I felt privileged to be awarded my first senior national team call up. I feel very happy to achieve what I achieved in the national team on my first call-up as well and I hope to continue delivering my best,†he said.
Top goal scorer
Katleho Makateng LDF-20
Makara Ntaitsane LCS-18
Jane Thabantšo Matlama-14
Keketso Snyder LCS-11
Retšelisitsoe Mopeli Lijabatho-11
Mohau Khali Swallows-10
Litšepe Marabe Bantu-9
Michael Kanguite Lijabtho-9
Summary
- “Honestly I am over the moon with excitement because it is every striker’s dream to be the top goal-scorer so I am really grateful that it is me with that achievement.
- “When the season began I was just excited to be playing in the premier league and in one of the top teams in the country as young as I am.
- I feel very happy to achieve what I achieved in the national team on my first call-up as well and I hope to continue delivering my best,†he said.
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