Lifofane coach Nkosana Mabena cites the loss of 60 percent of his starting lineup as the reason for the team's difficult 2026/27 season start.
Lifofane coach Nkosana Mabena stated that rebuilding the squad after losing key players during the transfer window will take time, impacting the team's ability to match last season's second-place finish in the Vodacom Premier League. The Buthe-Buthe-based side has struggled, drawing their opener 1-1 and losing 4-0 last weekend. Notable departures include Khotso Molelengoane, Neo Motsamai, and Monyane Senatla, with star midfielder Sello Japhta also expected to leave.
Mabena explained that the club's limited resources make it difficult to retain talent, with many players moving to other teams. He noted that the team's success last season was unexpected, and this year, opponents are better prepared. "We are a small village team without resources," Mabena said, highlighting the challenge of integrating new players into a cohesive unit.
Despite the setbacks, Mabena is committed to working for better results, acknowledging the presence of many new faces in the starting lineup. He expressed that expectations should be tempered given the team's current rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, the Lesotho Premier League Management Committee confirmed that most league matches will proceed as scheduled this weekend, with the exception of the defending champions Lijabatho's fixture.
Why it mattersLifofane's football team is affected by player transfers, impacting their performance and ability to compete effectively in the current season.
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