(MENAFN- The Post) MASERU- THE Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) has reacted angrily and furiously to Thaba-Bosiu Principal Chief Khoabane Theko's baseless and malicious attack.
At the funeral of the late Seepheephe Matete last weekend, the outspoken Chief is said to have attacked the association's president, advocate Salemane Phafane, and secretary general, Mokhosi Mohapi.
The association issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing their disgust at the chief's remarks.
The association said it was saddening to hear Chief Theko abuse and misuse the platform he was given at the funeral to mislead and deceive the nation on administrative matters about which he had no knowledge of.
Instead of using the platform to honour the late football legend, Chief Theko saw it as an opportunity to make ill-conceived and misguided accusations against the association's leadership.
“Firstly, Chief Khoabane claimed that building of stadia in the country is the responsibility of the association. The Chief who knows nothing about football administration would have known, if he had done his homework that football associations do not construct stadiums.” The statement said.
“This is the responsibility of the government and municipalities. The Chief has been part of the Governments of Lesotho, and should have [played] his part to ensure that stadia are built in Lesotho instead of sitting on his laurels and continuing to draw government salaries which he continues to date.” It continued.
LEFA says Chief Theko exposed his naivety when he claimed Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena is the only facility that the association has built. LEFA has to date built three technical centres that are ready and already being used to host Premier League matches.
One centre at Bambatha is nearing full completion, the other two in Mohale's Hoek and Maputsoe are fully functional. The artificial turf at Setsoto stadium was installed by the assoccition, they are also in the process of building similar centres in Thaba- Tseka, Quthing, Berea and Ha Mabote.
“The leadership of football in the country wishes to refresh Chief Khoabane's failing memory that it was only in November 2019, when current FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his delegation visited the Mountain Kingdom, as opposed to his misinformed claims that the FIFA president last visited Lesotho during Sepp Blatter's tenure in office.” It said.
“It does not come as a surprise that Chief Khoabane was openly and publicly denounced by another Chief at the same funeral. Something is self-inflicted as a result of Chief Khoabane's playing to the gallery which has turned him into a laughing stock.” It continued.
The association urged the Chief to familiarise himself with football matters, and also to refrain hijacking other people's funerals as a platform for his misinformation as the leadership of football will take him on if he wishes.