The only way to end this shame 

Moorosi Tsiane

Adding to the mediocrity of our national soccer team was news that three players reported late for camp to prepare for yesterday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Botswana in Gaborone.

The Lioli duo of Tšoanelo Koetle and Motlalepula Mofolo missed Monday’s session amid allegations that the players were seen moving around Maseru drinking beer.

While it is not clear why Sundawana forward Tumelo Khutlang was not in camp as expected, I was also shocked to hear that Likuena goalkeepers’ coach, Shokhoe Matsoai, was also suspected to have been out drinking instead of reporting for training at Setsoto Stadium. He has since rubbished the “rumors”.

I, my fellow reporters and the nation at large, have consistently stressed that Likuena need to be more disciplined both on and off the pitch in order to produce results but neither has been forthcoming, which means the message is not getting across.

The issue has become so monotonous I guess the best thing for me to do is just let it be because what is the point of trying to get the players to see sense and yet they continue making the same mistakes over and over again?

In my column last weekend, I emphasised clear development structures are needed for our football if we really want to see results and start competing internationally unlike now when we are still going to tournaments only to add to the numbers.

I can’t say I was shocked to hear that the trio was left out of the team which went to Botswana because this was not the first time they had shown their dark side and even if they are forgiven and called-up again, they are still going to repeat the same indiscipline. This I can bet my last loti on.

Like I said, development is what this country needs if we are serious about our soccer. If players get the right education from an early age, this poor conduct would surely be minimized as they would understand the importance of patriotism and donning national team colours or simply being role-models.

This drinking problem among our footballers is one of the reasons versatile Bantu defender Sepiriti Malefane was recently dropped from the national team, according to Likuena assistant coach Halemakele Mahlaha.

I have seen this happening more than once and met our players walking up and down the streets of Maseru with beer in their hands and it always left me wondering how they expected to be respected by the fans when they didn’t take themselves seriously.

Respect is earned, and our players don’t seem to know this. I think we, as the media, have been protecting them long enough and it is about time they were exposed and learnt their lessons the hard way.

As sports reporters, one of our responsibilities is to encourage our sportspersons to push themselves to the limit and also urge supporters to fill stadiums to give the athletes the much-needed encouragement. But on many occasions, I have been left with egg on my face when supporters ask me why they should waste their time by going to the stadium to watch “drunkards”.

I have always been at a loss for a positive response because they would be telling the truth.

And since we have missed that crucial stage of development for so long, our teams must ensure it does not continue to happen lest our football continues making a mockery of our heritage.

Most of our teams have become brands now and companies appear to be coming on board to sponsor them, but no business wants to be associated with “drunkards” so it is in the best interest of clubs to ensure their players are well-behaved all the time.