By: Sekonyela Qaitsane
Maseru – Bantu FC’s star midfielder, Lits’epe Marabe, is set to leave the club rather sooner than expected amid growing frustration for the player at the Mafeteng-based giants.
This is despite the club Coach James Madidilane confirming to Informative Newspaper after the club’s final league fixture at PTC last month, that the Lesotho international team remains part of his plans going forward.
He may be expected to play a major role in reclaiming the clubs glory in the new season. Madidilane however makes it clear that the 2023/2024 season was not Marabe’s best by his standards hence the fewer than normal minutes that the 32 year old has seen this season.
Marabe expresses his frustrations in an exclusive interview with Informative Newspaper that his constant substitution at halftime during the campaign was rather a signal that it is time to make way for fresh legs at the club.
“Not that my legs cannot carry me anymore or that I cannot keep up with the game, but I feel like maybe the way the club wants to play now is different and I cannot adapt.
“The coach prefers speed, and that is not my game. I am the kind of player who uses mind more than speed, and it would not make sense to stay around because clearly, my contribution will be minimal,” says the experienced midfielder nicknamed “Mong’a Runa” by Bantu fans.
Although hesitant to divulge, it is clear that the 2021/2020 Premier League Golden Boot winner is unhappy with Madidilane’s tactics, among many other issues at the club.
He emphasizes that managerial disputes, changing coaches, and “misunderstandings” within the squad are some of the things that led to their lapse in concentration and ultimate failure to defend the title.
Marabe is on his second stint at Bantu FC, having left the club to go abroad two years ago.
In 2022, Marabe moved to India and signed with Kerala Premier League side BASCO SC (Brothers Arts and Sports Club Othukkungal) before joining Transport United FC in Bhutan.
He returned to the club in January 2023, singing on a 6-month deal. In July of the same year, he signed an extension for two years. He has a year left on his contract, after which he has confirmed he will leave.
As for club football, he maintains that he still has a long way to go in football and will go on for a couple of seasons from now on.
Meanwhile, Marabe cements his commitment for the club to Bantu Fans stating that he plans to leave a mark at the club where he has enjoyed more career success.
He confesses that he would love to win the league, take the club to the champions league and make history at the continental showpiece by reaching the highest possible stage of the competition.
He goes on to reveal that he will retire from the national team upon the completion of the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, during which he will be available to help his nation qualify for the World Cup if summoned by the coach.
He reiterates that he owes Bantu Fans for their continued support and faith in him.