Sera back on track

MASERU – Likuena striker Motebang Sera has earned praises from football supporters in the country for his never-die attitude that has seen him get his career back on track in South Africa.

The 27-year-old striker made a return to Royal AM at the start of 2022/2023 season after a frustrating spell at Golden Arrows, where he was signed by former coach Lehlohonolo Seema.

His first spell with Royal AM also had its frustrations, which led to him reuniting with Seema at Golden Arrows.

The former Matlama hitman hit the ground running in his first year playing in South Africa during the 2020/21 season, where he netted nine goals for former club Bloemfontein Celtic.

However, he has failed to hit the same standards since then, which led to him moving between three clubs in the last two seasons.

Among his goals in his first season in South Africa, were against powerhouses such as league winners of that season in Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United as well as Kaizer Chiefs.

Speaking to thepost in an exclusive interview, Sera stated that he had a terrible time when his career started at Matlama, where he had become a boo boy of their supporters.

“I learnt a long time ago that football is not a bed of roses. I wasn’t in the good books of Matlama supporters in my early days at the club and I suffered a lot of booing from them,” Sera said.

“So, not a lot of people know that I had a difficult start at Matlama. I only became a fan favourite once I started scoring goals and helping the club win trophies.”

The 2018/19 Lesotho Premier League Player of the Season believes the hardships he went through at the beginning of his career prepared him for the challenges he has faced in South Africa.

“I’m now wiser as a professional footballer because of the challenges I have faced since I started at Matlama, where I was rejected by the fans before I became their star player,” Sera says.

“I know what to do if I’m not part of the match day squad or overlooked by coaches. I never stop working hard in the field because I know that my opportunity to play can come at any time.

“That is very important for a player that when a coach decides to play you, you are in your best physical condition to grab that opportunity with both hands,” he said.

Sera, who is Lesotho’s all-time leading goal scorer at the COSAFA Cup, said his advice to young players with dreams of making it big as professional players is to respect the requirements of the beautiful game.

“I do not wait for the coaches to push me to be in good shape physically and I know as well that the game is evolving with a lot of dynamics as to what to eat and not eat. Those are the smaller details that one must pay attention to,” he said.

Mikia Kalati