By: Sekonyela Qaitsane
Maseru – Leribe-based giants Linare FC have announced five new signings in preparation for the upcoming 2024–25 VPL campaign.
With the quality and calibre of their new additions, ‘Tse Tala’ makes a bold statement in terms of their ambitions for the new campaign. They finished 5th on the previous VPL log standings and will surely want to build on that challenge for the honors next year.
With Coach Bob Mafoso at the helm, it only makes sense for Linare FC to up their ambitions with a proven Premier League-winning coach having done so at Bantu FC. He has also coached a national team level.
In his debut season at Linare, which was the 2023–24 season, the club finished fifth on the log, winning 15 games, drawing 10, and losing only 5. They were the 4th least conceding team with 19 goals scored against them, while they managed to score a total of 34 goals.
Linare has acquired a top defender from Lioli FC, Tieho Ntulo, who was instrumental in Tse Nala’s title-winning campaign. He was also a Defender of the Season nominee at the recent VPL Awards.
Another top acquisition is the former LCS striker and 2022–2023 Premier League top goalscorer, Hlomelang Lebina. He was signed from Matlama FC, where he saw minimal gametime, scoring only four goals.
Former Bantu FC defender Thabo Mats’oele, who is also a regular name on the national team, is also among the acquisitions. He will reunite with Mafoso in Leribe and hope to play a major role in helping his mentor attain his goals. Linare has also signed defensive midfielder Pheko Makoa as a free agent, along with leftback Seleka Qhobela, who was snatched from Lifofane FC.