By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU – Lesotho’s refereeing trio is set to shine at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship!
Nteboheleng Setoko, Polotso Maapara, and Selloane Mphuthing have been called up to officiate in the upcoming tournament, showcasing Lesotho’s commitment to excellence in football officiating.
To officiate means to exercise responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game.
With Nteboheleng’s history-making achievements and the LeFA match officials’ impressive track record in finals this year, this remarkable threesome is sure to bring pride and professionalism to the game.
Fans are excited about the recent achievements of the Lesotho Football Association match official trio and their upcoming call ups to the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship. These three talented officials, Nteboheleng Setoko, Polotso Maapara, and Selloane Mphuthing, have been making waves in the football world and are ready to represent their country on international ground.
Setoko and Maapara have already proven their skills as referees by officiating the recent CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA Qualifiers in Malawi. Setoko even went on to make history by becoming the first referee in the region to officiate two successive finals of the tournament. This is no small feat and speaks volumes about her abilities as a referee.
Not to be outdone, Mphuthing has also been shining in the world of football. She was part of the officiating team for the CAF Champions League earlier this year, showing that she is just as capable as her male counterparts. This is a great achievement for women in football and a step in the right direction for gender equality in the sport.
But the accomplishments of these match officials do not stop there. Lebalang Mokete, another talented referee from Lesotho, was appointed to officiate the final of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations-COSAFA Qualifiers in Mozambique. And to continue the trend, Liponts’a Lekuba, a 20-year-old referee, made headlines by officiating the final of the CAF African Schools Football Championship-COSAFA Qualifiers in Namibia this past weekend.
It is truly inspiring to see young and talented individuals representing their country in such prestigious tournaments. Not only does this reflect positively on Lesotho’s football development, but it also shows the world that Lesotho is a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
The Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship is an annual football tournament organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) for women’s national teams in the region. This year’s championship will take place in Gqeberha, South Africa from October 22 to November 02. The call ups to this tournament for Setoko, Maapara, and Mphuthing is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport.
Their call ups not only bring pride to Lesotho but also serve as an inspiration to other aspiring referees in the country. These three match officials are paving the way for the next generation of referees in Lesotho and are proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
Basotho wish Nteboheleng Setoko, Polotso Maapara, and Mphuthing the best of luck in the upcoming Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship. Their call ups are well-deserved and a true reflection of their skills and abilities as match officials. Let us support and cheer on our Lesotho representatives as they make their country proud on the international stage.