Africa-Press – Lesotho. Former Lesotho national team star Bokang ‘Lefty’ Mothoana has announced his retirement from the game after a 20-year glittering career, which started in the dusty street of Sea-point.
Mothoana will go down as one of the best players of his generation to have graced the football fields in Lesotho with his career having taken him to Tunisia, where he played and captained Union Sportive Monastierienne.
‘Lefty’, as the Sea-point born utility player is affectionately known, was a member of the Lesotho national Under-20 team, which became the first side to qualify for a CAF competition in 2005, when they booked a ticket to the CAF Under-20 Africa Nations Cup, which in those days was called the African Youth Championship.
He will also be remembered for scoring straight from a corner-kick when Likuena eliminated Burundi from the World Cup qualifiers in 2012. Mothoana also captained his country having been appointed Likuena captain by Moses Maliehe just before the qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Reminiscing on his career in an exclusive interview with thepost, Mothoana believes his football journey was a big success having represented his country from the Under-15 level. He said going to ply his trade in North Africa playing in the Tunisian Premier league as well as captaining Likuena was a cherry on top.
“I think it’s been a very successful career having represented my country at all levels from my time as a young player up to the senior national team and I feel honoured that at one stage I was named the Likuena captain,” Mothoana said.
“Of course, you always want more, but I’m very happy with what I have achieved in my career having taken me to Tunisia as well as playing in competitions such as the CAF Champions League.
Mothoana, who made a name for himself at Likhopo helping the team win back-to-back league titles during the 2005/06 and 2006/07 season, stated that being part of the first ever Lesotho national team to qualify for a CAF competition with the Under-20 in 2005 remains among his memorable moments.
“The passion for the game, being grounded, the support I had here at home and when I was in Tunisia are some of the things that I feel helped me to have such a long career and achieved what I achieved,” Mothoana said.
“As for our success with that Under-20 team, it was not immediate because we had come through the ranks as a group and had gathered a lot of experience playing in different competitions in our region and across the continent.
“By the time we reached the level of the Under-20, we had become strong as a team and could compete against any side in the continent. We were fearless and it was no surprise that we qualified for the Afcon Under-20 tournament and reached the COSAFA final,” he said.
Mothoana also gave credit to former Likuena captain, Moitheri Ntobo, saying he played a key role in him settling down quickly in Monastir, Tunisia, where he remains popular to this day.
“My former teammate, Ntobo was very instrumental in my success in Tunisia because we were both together there and as an experienced player, he helped me with all the challenges I faced,” added Mothoana.
He said his dream is now to contribute by working with young players having been roped in the Lesotho Football Association Talent Development Scheme Programme.
“I love the game and I would love to make a contribution at the grassroots level working with young players and I’m very grateful that LEFA gave me an opportunity to work in their Talent Development Scheme Programme just recently,” he said.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
