‘Makepe not going anywhere’

Luciah Phahla

Maseru

Lioli’s communications and marketing manager Tšeliso Lerata insists club captain Basia Makepe is staying put despite speculation the Lesotho international is on his way to Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS).

Makepe was a rock in defence this season for the newly-crowned league champions anchoring a unit that conceded just 11 goals in 26 matches.

Lerata said Makepe remains a Lioli player regardless of rumours swirling about his departure. However, he was cagey when asked about the defender’s contract with the Teyateyaneng giants.

“I don’t know anything about Makepe leaving the club. As far as Makepe is concerned, he is still very much a Lioli player. There will be rumours as usual about players leaving but I would have known as the communications manager of the club,” Lerata told thepost yesterday.

“He still has a contract with Lioli and I cannot discuss it as it is between him and the club and it’s something that the management is still working on,” he added.

‘Tse Nala’ successfully defended their Vodacom Premier League crown last Saturday with a 2-1 win over Linare with Makepe again putting in a commanding display.

Makepe is also captain of the national team Likuena and is currently with the squad in Botswana for Saturday’s friendly match between the sides.

Lerata reiterated Makepe’s importance saying he is one of the reasons Lioli won the championship.

“Basia Makepe is very important to us, just like other players are important to the club. Remember he is our captain, that alone shows how valuable he is to the club; he is the reason why we won the league. He is really important to us like any other player,” he said.

Lerata did confirm there will be player movement at ‘Tse Nala’ during the upcoming transfer window. He said everything will be made public as soon as the champions are done with their transfers.

“Definitely there will be new players coming in and others going out but all will be made public at the right time. The management is working hard and when we sign new players we will announce it. When a player leaves we will announce it, even when (management) decide not to release anyone we will make an announcement,” he concluded.