Windfall for Likuena

MASERU — Likuena players and coaches received M1 300 each in bonuses raised through gate-takings during their World Cup encounter against Sudan on Sunday.

Although the Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) had promised to give the players the bonus if they won, the association’s acting chief executive Mokhosi Mohapi said they decided to give the cash to reward the team’s “fantastic performance”.

The game ended in a nil all draw.

“We gave away the money collected from the match to the team because they (players) didn’t disappoint with their performance given that they were not able to train at the stadium prior to the match,” Mohapi said.

The players, team manager, coaches, kit man together with team doctor shared close to M35 000 that was generated through gate-takings.

Mohapi said Lefa collected between M34 000 and M35 000 in gate-takings at the poorly attended match.

Likuena captain Moitheri Ntobo told the Lesotho Times on Tuesday that players were happy with the money.

“We as the players are very satisfied with the money that we shared,” Ntobo said.

He said they were not expecting such an amount as the stadium was not filled to capacity.

“We saw that the attendance was not good and were not expecting to receive M1 300 hence we are satisfied and happy with the money,” he said.

Likuena team manager, Khiba Mohoanyane, said the mood in the camp was jubilant after the players received the money.

“The players were very excited because they were not expecting the money given that they didn’t meet the conditions that had been set for them,” Mohoanyane said.

He said the players however deserved the money despite drawing against Sudan.

“Lefa decided that the team deserved to be given the money because the players played well during the match but were just unlucky with the goals,” he said.

He added that the association will always look to reward the players in an attempt to motivate them.

Mohoanyane said the players were also each given allowances of M100 per day during their camp at Bambatha Tsita Sports Arena in the run-up to the Sudan tie.

He said Lefa will always ensure that players get incentives while on national duty.

“It is the intention of the local football governing body to always give incentives to the players on national duty when we are financially stable,” he said.