Moorosi Tsiane
LIKUENA striker Nkoto Masoabi has returned to his former team Lioli, after signing a one-year deal on Thursday.
Masoabi left Lioli at the beginning of the 2016/17 season to join Kick4Life where he played for two seasons before leaving for GladAfrica Championship side, Real Kings in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
The towering striker found the going tough in South Africa and is returning to the country after two years.
Masoabi refused to comment on the matter and said he would only speak after meeting the Lioli management.
The 2017/18 premier League top scorer was announced in Tse Nala’s new look squad alongside former Kick4Life striker, Morapeli Lesoetsa, who is joining from Lewis & Clark Community College in the United States of America.
Basia Letuka (defender) is joining from Liphakoe, while attacking midfielder Velaphe Monaheng will be joining from Lifofane. Another midfielder Monamoli Monamoli is joining from Makola Professionals.
Lioli has also secured the services of South Africans Khangela Zungu (Summerfield Dynamos, winger), Sibusizo Sikhakhane (GWP Friends KZN FC, defender).
They have also signed former Orlando Pirates striker, Dennis Lota’s son, Mike, who will be joining from the now defunct Highlands Park.
Lioli have also renewed Tšele Rankhasa’s contract while also promoting Lerato Mohelepi from their development structures.
Lioli president Lebohang Thotanyana said this was a critical phase for the team as they want to recalibrate it and bring back its glory days.
“We will obviously be making lots of changes because we want to bring the team up to its glory days,” Thotanyana said.
“We have brought in a new coach (Thomas Tshabalala), so we also need quality players who can help us achieve our resolutions.
“We will of course be releasing some players whom we feel are no longer needed in the squad but for now, we are still negotiating with them. We will only announce the once the processes are complete.”
Thotanyana, who returned to the Lioli presidency in August this year, said the coach’s mandate is to ensure that the team wins at least one trophy and help the team finishes in the top four.
“We have already made our intention clear that we want the team to finish in the top four come the end of the season. We must also win one of the trophies in the domestic league. All these players we are unveiling were recommended by the coach.
“We also assessed them and we are satisfied. There could still be some late signings but that will depend on who is on the market,” Thotanyana said.