Moorosi Tsiane
Kick4Life striker, Morapeli Lesoetsa, sadly remembers his close break into professional football when he went for trials in Ghana February this year.
The towering forward spent two weeks at Right To Dream Academy but could not stand the searing heat in the West African nation, prompting his early return home and ending a glorious chance to play the Beautiful Game in soccer-mad Ghana.
“Football is such a cruel game which needs people with strong characters because sometimes, you will find that things are simply not going your way. That may damage you as a player if you are not a strong character,” said the 19-year-old.
“Some two gentlemen who were at Kick4Life for a visit recommended that I go for trials at Right To Dream Academy in Ghana.
“I spent two weeks at the Academy and believe me, it was tough out there. I passed everything—fitness and skills test—but unfortunately, my body just couldn’t adjust to the searing weather, so I had to come back home, disappointed because I had come so close to realising my dream of playing professional football.
“But still, I learnt a lot in those two weeks. I would have loved to stay but it just wasn’t possible. I had wanted to use the opportunity as a springboard to top European football league but it just wasn’t meant to be, as I had to cut short my stay in Ghana.”
Lesoetsa says he has always been a football fanatic hence his signing for Kick4Life when the team was in the first division three years ago
“I have come a long way in my football career. I grew up playing the game in the streets of Borokhoaneng before I moved to Lithabaneng,” said Lesoetsa.
“At the age of 13, I joined a local side called Sekonyela FC and in 2011, I moved to Tsosane Kellis. In 2012, I moved to Kick4Life who were in the A Division at the time, and I have been with the club ever since.”
A season after joining Kick4Life, the Old Europa-based outfit was promoted to the premier league.
In their first season in the topflight league last season, Lesoetsa scored four goals, and has found the back of the net three times already this season. Kick4Life have played 10 league matches this season and are ninth on the 14-team premier league table.
“After just one season at Kick4Life, we were promoted to the premier league, which was quite an achievement for me. Our first season in the elite league was not easy but still, we managed to survive relegation and I scored four goals. I am on three this season and I scored them in consecutive matches. That says a lot about my progress and I will keep working hard to get even better and help my team become a force in our football.”
The former Masitise High School student has played for the national under-17 and under-20 teams and credits Kick4Life for his success. However, the powerful forward says his target now is playing for the national side, Likuena.
“I don’t regret joining this team; I think it is one of the best things that have happened in my life. We are like a family here, which is why I like the atmosphere at this club, as it has allowed me to express myself.
“It was after joining Kick4Life that I was called into the national under-17 side that reached the semi-final of the 2013 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Games in Zambia. I went on to feature for the under-20 team that played in the Cosafa tournament hosted here in Lesotho, also in 2013. We did not do well in that tournament as we could not go past the first stage, but I was proud to have been recognised and called up for the tournament,” said Lesoetsa.
Turning to club football, the forward said he was happy with the way his game is developing.
“I am satisfied with how our team is doing both on the football field and our main work as Kick4Life, where we teach life skills to the youth. I know things cannot always go as planned due to many factors but for now, I am proud of this team and also myself.”
The Quthing-born player says he wants to be among the most successful footballers to emerge from Lesotho and play abroad should he get the chance.
“One thing I have learnt is in life, one needs to work hard to achieve anything worth talking proudly about. And among my aspirations is to be one of the best players this country has ever produced and play the game at the highest level.”
Lesoetsa further said he was now ready to play for Likuena, and was just waiting for that magic call.
“What is important for me now is to focus on my game,” he said. “I think my performance is right on track but I have to work harder because I am now in the Likuena B team, which means I am getting somewhere,” he said.
Commenting on the level of Lesotho football, Lesoetsa said the country was still “far behind” compared to other countries.
“I am sorry to say this but it is the truth,” he said. “We are still far behind compared to other countries. I have been to Ghana, like I have said, and I was amazed by how those guys do their things. Here our administration is so poor, and we are still very amateur as far as the game is concerned. Players are treated very well in other countries compared to what happens to us here in Lesotho.”
Lesoetsa has just completed Business Studies at the International Business College (IBC) and says education remains important to him as he wants something to fall back on once his playing days are over.
Fact File
Name: Morapeli John Lesoetsa
Nickname: ML7
Date of birth: 22 March 1996
Place of birth: Mphaki, Quthing.
Position: Forward
Honours: Played for the national under-17 and under-20 teams.
Team supported: Barcelona (Spain)
Favourite meal: Papa and pork
Dream car: BMW 3 Series
Favourite music: Deep house and hip-hop
Role model: Vuyo Dabula (South African actor)
Marital Status: In a relationship