Mafoso quits Lioli

MASERU – Bob Mafoso has dumped Lioli only six months after taking over as head coach.

Lioli announced Mafoso’s resignation yesterday and claims his reasons for leaving the team in the middle of the season are related to his day-to-day job.

The former Lesotho Under-20 coach left Lioli ninth on the log standings with 14 points after 10 games and just hours after Lioli won their fourth game of the season, a 3-0 win over CCX in Teya-Teyaneng on Tuesday.

Mafoso joined ‘Tse Nala’ amid much fanfare 10 months ago after splitting with Bantu whom he led to the championship in 2020 and he was tasked with rebuilding Lioli and reintroducing them to the big boys.

Lioli have not won the league since 2016 and were hoping to contend for the title this season.

However, their campaign began with inconsistent performances and the team failed to secure points in games where they were expected to.

“Management of Lioli announced that after meetings and discussions with the head coach Bob Mafoso, we received his resignation letter. His reasons relating to his day-to-day job (sic),” Lioli’s statement said.

“The club has asked assistant coach Shetsane Ramoseka, to build a technical team that will look after the team until further announcement,” ‘Tse Nala’ continued.

Ramoseka is a former Lioli captain and will lead the team against Naughty Boys this weekend.

Mafoso has missed several Lioli games this season including a 2-0 drubbing against Linare on November 5.

Two weeks ago, this paper reported that Mafoso had grown frustrated at Lioli while players accused the club president, Lebohang Thotanyana, and his executive of abandoning the team.

The team’s poor preparations and financial problems were said to be at the centre of his frustrations with the club at the time.

Players claimed the executive committee lacked interest in the club and said the only constant figure they see is Lioli’s vice-president technical, Mothoalo Mothoalo.

Thotanyana, who is involved in politics and is a member of the Basotho Action Party (BAP) led by Professor Nqosa Mahao, admitted his presence had been limited at the club but vowed that was going to change.

Efforts to get hold of Mafoso proved futile as his mobile was unavailable.

Tlalane Phahla