Seema hangs boots
By Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Former Lesotho international and the country’s most celebrated footballer, Lehlohonolo Seema, has hung up his boots after struggling to recover from a niggling knee injury.
Announcing his retirement during a press briefing yesterday, the 32-year-old Mafeteng-born defender said he is proud of his achievements in a playing career that saw him captain South African giants, Orlando Pirates, and Bloemfontein Celtics.
“I still had hope of continuing with my career. I did everything I could to continue playing but the knee injury just could not heal,” Seema said.
Seema was still contracted to Orlando Pirates then, but was loaned to Mpumalanga Black Aces to get some game time.
His loan contract was terminated even before he kicked the ball in the colours of the Mpumalanga-based team as the knee injury continued to hamper his progress.
“I was out injured for three years. I worked with a specialist and was hoping to get back on the field, but when I thought I was ready to play the injury struck again,” he said.
“It was after this painful three years that I sat down with my family and agreed it was time to call it a day on my playing career.”
Seema said every time he tried running or making any movements he could feel the pain again.
“I was still contracted to Pirates and wanted to fight for my place in the team,” he said.
He said he has turned his attention to preparing for life after football.
“I want to be involved in grassroots football and use the expertise and experience I gained during my playing career as a coach,” Seema, who once captained Likuena, said.
“In football you never stop learning; hence my decision to give coaching a chance as I’m still a learner and I’m proud to have been involved in a few coaching courses.”
Seema, who also had spells with local clubs Matlama, Chelsea and Bantu, said he attended a CAF B coaching course held by the South African football association earlier this year.
The former Likuena skipper said he was among the 32 coaches who passed the CAF B licensing course.
Lesotho Football Association first vice-president, Tlholo Letete, paid tribute to Seema when he spoke at the same press conference.
“It was a great honour and privilege to have had such a talented player like Seema,” said Letete.
“It was even special because I saw his development from the early stages.”
Letete said it was during the time when Seema was playing for Bantu that he caught the eyes of Bloemfontein Celtics scouts.
“He is one of the most celebrated players in our country and along with the likes of Thabane Sutu, Ronnie Malefetse and others made this country proud in foreign countries,” said Letete.
He said a lot of players can learn from the leadership qualities of Seema, both on and off the field.
“He was one of the most disciplined players to come from our shores. No wonder he went to captain one of Africa’s strongest teams — Orlando Pirates and another South African side Bloemfontein Celtic.”
Letete wished the retired defender well in his future endeavours adding the country should utilise his expertise.
Comment by Lefefooane on 23 August 2012:
Salute Mr. Seema. A very disciplined guy. A man who never ceased to make my moments on the pitch. Seema has played in each and every department in the soccer field. He started as a goalkeeper at Chelsea then later on as midfielder cum striker at Bantu then as striker at celtics then moved to defence at celtics then a defender at pirates until one clown Mhlongo beitched him. Welcome home Man. I wish this guy can be given an important role in our soccer development. I urge Mr. Thesele “Bathez” Maseribane to sit down with Seema and discuss way forward. Maybe even John Leuta can still try get the services of Seema at Bantu but my impression is that Seema should be given a much bigger role than at a an FC. Salute Mr. Seema, Salute.
Comment by NGO on 23 August 2012:
Ntate Seema is avaluable asset to use to build our struggling Lesotho soccer development. He should be head hunted to play some significant role in LEFA.
Comment by Mphe-mphe on 23 August 2012:
Khau eea u lokela Lekaota, rona ba u tsebileng re ka paka. Bomalimabe ba Naha ena ea rona ke hore le uena ha feela u ke ke ua ba Yes Baas ua lemuloana leno le qhalang bolo ea Lesotho, karolo eeo u neng ebile u lakatsa ho e bapala katlehisong le ho holeng ha bolo ka hara naha, tsohle e tla ba toro feela joalo ka ba tlileng pele. Le ha ho le joalo Ea kaletseng Maru o tla re lokolla joalo feela ha a re lokolotse monongoaha.
Comment by Lefefooane on 23 August 2012:
@NGO, Mphe-mphe, monna eno rea mo hloka empa re ka lakatsa ho utloa ho ena hore na a ka thabela mosebetsi o feng e sere ra mo khoka kapa ra mo imetsa a qetella a hloleha joale re mo hloisitse sechaba. My suggestion would be to get his vision and plan for the future. That is he must tell us his ideal role in Lesotho’s soccer development. Then we should support him in that endeveour other impose on him a job that he could possibly not like or be fit to do. Kapa joang?
Comment by phakoana on 23 August 2012:
@Lefefooane, o boletse teng mshana, ke utloile ka mohloli o ts’epahalang hore monna eo Seema o ntsa kena lihlopha (sekolo) kae kae, ‘me ke eena e ka supang tsela hore na a ka re thusa joang; feela he o sa boletse hore o batla ho otla bana ba sa le banyane.
Comment by tsepo on 24 August 2012:
I have rated the man long tie ago one of the valuables assets of Lesotho,Tsepo HLOJENG SHOULD NOT BE FOGOTTEN i will also put Mr Hlojeng in the list of greatest players to have appeared in the national colours as Thabane Sutu and LEFTY MOTHOANA. I SALUTE
Comment by Kokota on 25 August 2012:
We salute you Hloni. Feela ea hore u 32 ka lilemo eona kea e hana, ke u tsebella khale re sa le li laiti boy.
Comment by phakoana on 27 August 2012:
Taba ea age cheating e kotsi makhooa, hoja ea fihla pheletsong. Monna eo ha 32 ho hang, feela joale lilemo tsa hae tse likokomaneng tsa bolo li supa joalo.
E mong o se a bile a sebelisa litokomane tsa ngoan’a bo hore feela ebe o ntsa le monyane.
Comment by motiki rhuzo mohale on 28 August 2012:
as national player and know al the hapiness and sadness of football Bra SEEMA with his experience all the nation need his service.all players in order to archieve need to play according to the instruction aove all DISIPLINE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
Comment by Supporter on 28 August 2012:
Lehlohonolo Seema a ko ska thetsa batho hle ngoaneso, lilemo tsa hao ha li 32 ho hang, ke a o tseba uena khale o matha le bo Popo Matsooara bolong mafteng mane. You are not 32 years at all, esale o ntso re thetsa hore o fumane ho bapalla bo under mang-mang joale le ha o so tlameha ho beha lemo tsa nnete oa thatafalloa!!! 32 hase lemo tsa hao hang. O thaka bo Abti Mosito Careka Matela uena.
Comment by Mzalwane on 29 August 2012:
banna le bitterrr hakaakang….? bolong ea maoto lilemo lia cheatoa hao so bapale o keke wa tseba.