Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Matlama star player in the 2011/12 campaign, Pali Tšalong, has urged his team to keep their faith in coach Mokoena Mohale.
Besides keeping Mohale, the playmaker feels there is need to reinforce the team with four big-name players.
Tšalong said it was disappointing to lose out on the league championship to Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS).
He added that Matlama’s inexperienced players failed to cope with the pressure that came with the race for the championship.
“Mohale was a player here, he knows the culture and I have no doubt that if we can get a few quality players then the team will be in a position to challenge for more honours,” Tšalong said.
“Last season he led the team to the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular title and I believe he is the right man to take us back to the days of glory.”
Tšalong, who was the club’s top-goal-scorer with nine goals in the premier league, said Tse Putsoa — as Matlama are known — needed to reinforce the team with a few experienced campaigners to keep pace with the likes of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) and LCS.
He added that it became apparent when they lost four consecutive matches in the second half of the season that their young players were struggling to cope with the pressure.
“They are not used to tough situations but I’m sure with maturity they will be able to handle it well.”
One of Matlama’s young players, Tšeliso Ramathe — who was in his first season with the team — told the Sunday Express that it took him time to settle in Tse Putsoa colours.
The former Lesotho Under-17 captain said he was however delighted to have won the Vodacom Spectacular in his maiden season with the Sea Point outfit.
“Just two seasons ago I was playing football in the A Division hence it was a dream come true to join a big team such as Matlama and winning the Spectacular title in my first year was a bonus,” said the lanky defender.
Ramathe said his hope was to win more titles and cement his place in the Lesotho national Under-20 squad.
“I have gained a little bit of experience and aim to be a better player in the upcoming 2012/13 season,” he said.
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