‘Kalake not going anywhere’

Luciah Phahla

Maseru

Bantu have rejected an offer from Matlama for midfielder Hlompho Kalake.

Kalake, 21, is believed to have been at the top of Matlama’s shopping list ahead of the 2016/17 season and the top brass at Pitso Ground have spent the past month devising a package to lure the midfielder from Mafeteng.

Last month Kalake played every minute of Lesotho’s run to the quarter-finals of the COSAFA Castle Cup in Namibia and his stock has only risen since his fine performances for Likuena.

Bantu’s communications and marketing manager Motlatsi Mofokeng confirmed the Mafeteng-based club received an offer from Matlama for Kalake but said it was turned down because ‘A Matšo Matebele’ are looking to challenge for honours this coming season.

“We received a letter from Matlama regarding Hlompho Kalake and it was very simple, we told them that Kalake is not for sale, that’s all,” Mofokeng told thepost yesterday.

Kalake started his top-flight career at Matlama before joining Bantu ahead of the 2013/14 season. He has since blossomed into one of the country’s best players and it was believed the player was open to a move back to Maseru.

As things stand, Kalake will remain at ‘A Matšo Matebele’ with sources saying Matlama have shifted their attentions elsewhere in their continued efforts to bolster their midfield.

Mofokeng also fiercely denied reports Bantu made an offer this week for Matlama’s in-demand attacking midfielder Jane Thaba-Ntšo.

Mofokeng said it would not make sense to sign Thaba-Ntšo who plays in a similar position as Lazola Tjokotjokwana, Bantu’s top scorer in the Vodacom Premier League last season.

Mofokeng insisted Bantu are sorted in the attacking midfield department.

“It is not true. It’s a lie that we made an offer for Thaba-Ntšo,” Mofokeng asserted.

“We have never written to Matlama regarding him. How can we sign Thaba-Ntšo when we have Lazola who plays in his position? The only player we have signed from Matlama is Chaka Maile, that’s it, and that happened last season. Other than Maile, we have not tried to sign a player from Matlama,” he said.

Thaba-Ntšo was one of Matlama’s key performers last season as they finished second in the league behind Lioli. He struck 13 league goals and enjoyed a prolific partnership with top scorer Motebang Sera.

Thaba-Ntšo also had a brilliant COSAFA Castle Cup where he scored three goals.

‘Tse Putsoa’ also denied receiving an offer from Bantu for Thaba-Ntšo.

Matlama’s communication and marketing manager Tankiso Moletsane insisted the talented midfielder is not going anywhere because ‘Tse Putsoa’ are looking to challenge for the league title this season.

“It is a lie that Bantu made an offer for Jane. We have not received anything from Bantu and Jane is not going anywhere. He is training with the team,” Moletsane said yesterday.