Sundawana sign Ghana duo

Luciah Phahla

MASERU

Vodacom Premier League side Sundawana have made the first splash of the transfer window by completing the signings of Ghana duo Norman Kumatse and Ernest Antwi.

Kumatse, 22, and Antwi, 20, have both signed four-year contracts and will stay in Butha-Buthe until 2020.

The duo’s capture represents the first major move by a premiership club this off-season and Sundawana general manager Mapena Tloaelo hailed the new arrivals saying they have already made an impact in the ‘Tse Bo Yellow’ camp.

Kumatse and Antwi featured in a pre-season win last Saturday and Tloaelo said the pair showed glimpses of what they can do once they get used to their new surroundings.

“The two players, Norman and Ernest, played in a friendly match this weekend in Maputsoe and they played really well,” Tloaelo told thepost on Tuesday. “They have shown a lot of potential. It is just a matter of time before they get comfortable and start playing their normal game.”

He added: “We gave them contracts and they read them and they were satisfied with what was in the contracts. But, they asked for four years. It was their request.”

Sundawana are looking to prove last season was not a fluke.

‘Tse Bo Yellow’ finished fourth in the Vodacom Premier League last term and Tloaelo said the ambitious club is not done in the transfer market.

Two more Ghanaian imports, defenders Emmanuel Kudiabor and Abekah Frederick, are still expected to touch down in Butha-Buthe before the season starts, Tloaelo said.

“Emmanuel was supposed to have left Ghana (on Monday) but due to some serious reasons he couldn’t. But, we are expecting him to leave today while (Frederick) will come later as well,” he said.

Tloaelo, however, pleaded for patience with the club’s new additions saying the unforgiving weather in Lesotho could slow their adaptation.

“It might take time for them to adapt to our football due to weather conditions here. In Ghana it is hot and it’s cold here. Weather does play a big role in a player’s performance,” he pointed out.

Nevertheless, Kumatse, who Sundawana have signed to boost their strike-force, said he is itching to make his mark in Lesotho and promised goals.

“I am happy to be here. So far I am enjoying and I am looking forward to the beginning of the season. I just want to play football and score goals, I am a striker,” he said.

Two weeks ago Sundawana appointed Sidwell Mothea as coach to replace Bob Mafoso who joined Bantu last month. With a new coach in place, the club has stepped up efforts to bolster the squad.

Former Bantu and Linare defender Chaka Maile is training with Sundawana aiming to win a contract. The club is also in advanced talks with Rovers to sign defender Letsoko Leboela.

“We have Chaka Maile here; he is training with the team,” Tloaelo said. “Everything is up to the technical team. If they are impressed with him, we will surely sign him. We are also finalising a transfer for Letsoko Leboela from Rovers. I am sure by next week I will have something to say. For now we are still in negotiations.”

Sundawana supporters won’t have to wait long to see Kumatse and Antwi in action. The new arrivals are set to make their debuts at this weekend’s Alliance Winter Challenge pre-season tournament at Setsoto Stadium.

‘Tse Bo Yellow’ have been pitted against Matlama in Saturday’s opening semi-final. Lioli and Lesotho Correctional Service are the other contenders in the four-team competition.