Moorosi Tsiane
LMPS coach Seephephe Matete says he does not know why national team forward Tšepo Seturumane missed the teams’ pre-season preparations.
According to Matete, the former Lioli striker only joined the team late in the pre-season and was soon to be excused to attend the funeral of a family member.
The 2013/14 premier league top scorer and player of the season did not feature in any of LMPS’ Vodacom Premier League matches before the league was suspended last month.
“He has been registered but he has not played because he did not participate in the off-season preparations and only joined us at a much later stage after I had raised my concerns with the team authorities about his absence,” Matete said.
“We were still working on his physical fitness but unfortunately, he had to be released to attend a relative’s funeral, so he missed another two weeks.”
The former Likuena gaffer, Matete, said Seturumane was still in his plans and was prepared to help him get into shape when soccer action resumes.
“It is good that players are now at home and will have about three weeks to rest in time for the return of football. He will be part of the squad once football resumes because he is one player whom every coach would want on their team because of his abilities.”
Seturumane’s absence is one of the reasons for which LMPS has failed to pose a threat for top sides in the league.
“The team has not exhibited a winning mentality like one that is hoping to win the league.
“There is still a lot of work before we can compete. We have players who, on paper, can compete but the attitude says something else.
“Some of the players do not show an urge to win or hunger to compete. So, we must first work on that before even thinking of competing for titles.
“You can tell when a player wants to win. There is no consistency and you cannot win the league if you are inconsistent.”
Seturumane has been troubling coaches both at LMPS and the national team but Matete said they have always been in good terms.
“When I was still with the national team we got along well because falling out with my predecessor, Moses Maliehe I convinced him into re-joining the national team.
“For now, I am hoping that he will return with the rest of the players when we reopen because we need him,” Matete said.