Leemisa Thuseho
THE relegation threatened Lijabatho has extended the contract of one of their most priced players, Retšelisitsoe Mopeli.
The extension will see Lijabatho enjoy the service of the lanky frontman for another three year.
Mopeli joined the Morija side during the January 2019 transfer window on a six months loan from the struggling Swallows. He later completed a full transfer to Lijabatho after helping the team secure Econet Premier League promotion.
Following his commendable performance at Lijabatho, Mopeli has allegedly attracted the interest of some of the leagues’ top teams. However, the contract extension puts paid to the prospects of movement.
Mopeli is currently among the league’s top 10 scorers. He is sixth after netting eight goals in the current season.
Mahala, as Lijabatho is affectionately known, has also extended the contracts of Thabo Mafatle and Tšokolo Nyamatana. The duo will also serve Lijabatho for another three seasons.
Lijabatho are 13 in the 14-team table with 13 points from 18 games.
Lijabatho communications and marketing manager Tšepiso Thoso confirmed to the contract extensions to the Sunday Express.
He said the team’s relegation survival hopes were still alive, therefore they found it necessary to keep the players.
“We are planning ahead,” Thoso said.
“Our plan is to ensure that we stay in the premier league.”
He also said there were still some players whose contracts are ending at the end of the 2019/20 season, therefore their future at the club would be decided soon.
Since mid-March when the soccer leagues were suspended, most clubs have been enduring financial challenges which resulted in players and technical teams’ salaries being cuts. Some clubs are even reluctant to negotiate new contracts with players due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Despite the league suspension, Lijabatho still managed to pay their players and technical team full salaries. Thoso said this is made possible by their sponsors.
Thoso said the wellbeing of their players was their priority and he believes that would motivate the team to perform well once the league returns.