…as he unveils implementation of his 16-year ‘plan’
Chris Theko
Since his re-election as President of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), Advocate Salemane Phafane KC, announced his wishes to move past the recent Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Congress and elections as he shifts his focus on the rigorous delivery program for his 16-year planning phase.
Phafane has been at the helm of the national football mother-body for the past four terms consecutively spanning a period of 16 years, and believes in the fifth, which is by his own assertions the last, he will be able to make good on the plans he and his executive committee have had.
Speaking at the LeFA Headquarters at the Bambatha TÅ¡ita Sports Arena in Maseru this week, he stated that he had had a fruitful telephonic conversation with the Maseru District Football Association (DIFA Maseru) President Lijane Nthunya a few days after the congress. Nthunya was the other contestant in the presidential run who lost to Phafane in a landslide 42-7 bout.
“I extended my hand to him and told him my door remains open to working together and sharing ideas that will benefit football in the country,†Phafane said.
Nthunya could not be reached, however, to corroborate the claims by the LeFA President.
Phafane said his wish is to see the development of football and that that can only happen if all work together.
In unveiling his implementation tact, he announced that one of the game-changing exploits up his sleeve was newly formed bilateral partnership between the association and the English Football Association.
“We have a partnership with the English FA through the UEFA Assist Programme which has already yielded a grassroots development equipment programme worth M500 000, which will be implemented in the ten DiFAs,†he said.
He stated that LeFA is also at advanced negotiations with other federations such as the Belgian and Moroccan FAs over securing more bilateral partnerships.
The LeFA President also announced that the football mother body will be investing more resources on grassroots and youth football (boys and girls) nationwide.
The standout announcement in his implementation is the return of the Under-23 team which used to be known as the Special Force, to be a feeder team for the senior national team Likuena to be overseen by Mpitsa Marai.
The Association has also assigned its Technical Director Leslie Notši to assemble a new look and youthful Likuena side while the hunt for a new coach continues.
The Senior national team is expected to return to action with a friendly match during the November FIFA dates.
