Chris Theko
Lesotho international striker Nkoto Masoabi has signed a two-and-a-half years contract with Libyan Premier League side Al Asswehly SC.
The lanky striker joined Asswehly after ending his short stint with Lioli FC. He was in his second spell with the Teyateyaneng based side after his unsuccessful two years with GladAfrica Championship side, Real Kings in South Africa.
The player confirmed his move in an interview with Newsday Sports from Libya, Masoabi said he was looking forward to his new challenge in North Africa.
“I have signed with Asswehly for a period of two and half seasons. As things stand I can’t wait for the season to start,” Masoabi said.
He said football is run differently in Libya than what he is used to.
“Here things are a bit more serious about football, you start seeing a similar style of running affairs like the way they do in Europe,” he said.
“The professionalism is evident, they take every aspect of the game seriously, including infrastructure and players’ diets” Masoabi said.
Masoabi had joined Lioli at the beginning of the season before the league was suspended by the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) at the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. When the league went for Christmas break and was subsequently suspended, Masoabi had featured in three games for Lioli and scored one goal.
Meanwhile in a statement this week, Lioli President Lebohang Thotanyana, confirmed the news and wished the striker well in a statement.
“We wish him (Masoabi) all the best in his new assignment and we hope he will raise the Lioli and Lesotho flag high in Libya” part of the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Likuena head coach Thabo Senong was also at hand to congratulate the Likuena marksman adding that he has always felt that the striker deserved to play in better leagues.
“We are obviously proud of the new developments about Masoabi, it’s a positive step for his football career.
“He scores important goals for our national team and in my opinion, is one of the best strikers in the COSAFA region,†Senong said.
He concluded that the Libyan league was much better than the Lesotho league in more ways than one hence it’s good for Lesotho to be exporting players there. Accen
