Teboho Molapo
MASERU — First Division outfit Nyenye Rovers have fixed a M10 000 price tag on goalkeeper Baholo Sefatsa, a sum that would equal Lesotho’s current transfer fee record.
Sefatsa, a Lesotho under-20 international, is being strongly linked with a move to Lioli.
The 19-year-old is one of several Nyenye Rovers players that are wanted by Premiership clubs.
Rovers were relegated from the Vodacom Premier League last season and now face a struggle to hold on to their young gems who impressed in the top-flight last season.
Sefatsa’s performances, for example, have made him a fixture in the Makoanyane XI squad.
Speaking to the Sunday Express this week Rovers public relations officer Thabiso Jomane said any suitors for Sefatsa should be prepared to part with M10 000.
The price tag is likely to throw a damper on the hopes of most interested clubs
Jomane said Nyenye Rovers wanted to recoup what they had spent developing Sefatsa.
“We would want M10 000. We have put him through school and we have taken care of his basic welfare needs. So we are looking for a return if he leaves,” Jomane said on Monday.
Jomane spoke as it emerged Mphatlalatsane and Joy have joined Lioli in the race to sign another young Rovers prospect — the explosive 17-year-old winger Montoeli Senopo.
Commenting on the matter, Jomane said Joy was the only side that had officially spoken to his club.
Jomane however added Rovers had previously held talks with Teyateyaneng-based Lioli over Senopo and Sefatsa. Jomane said if the price was right they would let Sefatsa go, adding Rovers were less willing to release Senopo.
He said they would only consider a loan deal that would also ensure Senopo continues with his studies.
“We had said we would let them go but we changed our minds because we want to return to the Premier League,” Jomane said.
“Senopo is not a player we would want to let go, but he is from Teyateyaneng so there is that desire on his part (to join Lioli),” Jomane said.
“We had said (to Lioli) Senopo can go on loan for a season. We expect them to pay him M1500 per month and if he succeeds at school (this year) then they should take him to (tertiary) college. After the end of the season, if we see that he is doing well, then we can sit down and talk about selling him,” Jomane said.
Jomane said talks were continuing.
However, Lioli communications and marketing manager Moeketsi Pitso said he believed they were close to striking a deal for both players without paying such an enormous fee for Sefatsa.
“The fee will be determined by the talks that we have with the team and if his services will serve us well,” Pitso told the Sunday Express on Friday.
“We believe we will complete the matter on Monday. (But) judging from our talks we don’t think the transfer fee will be that high.”
To date, the distinction of Lesotho’s highest transfer fee belongs to Lawrence Molengoane who joined LCS from Matlama for M10 000 in January last year.