Mikia Kalati
AMERICAN second-tier side, Richmond Kickers, have confirmed signing Likuena attacking midfielder Jane “Sunny” Tšotleho for the 2016 season.
The 24-year-old forward was previously in the books of the Wilmington Hammerheads in North Carolina, which is in the country’s third-tier league.
Tšotleho, who is currently in Lesotho sorting out his US visa, last month told the Sunday Express’s sister paper, Lesotho Times, that he signed for the Richmond, Virginia-based Kickers after a dream move to Bosnian outfit Fudbalski Klub Velež Mostar failed to materialize last November due to the club’s financial troubles.
Announcing the signing on Thursday, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer, Leigh Cowlishaw, described Tšotleho as “an exciting attacking player who impressed us greatly”.
“The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that Lesotho national team forward, Sunny Jane, has agreed to terms for the 2016 season,” said Cowlishaw.
“Sunny is a dynamic attacking player who impressed greatly while in Maryland and most recently with Wilmington.
“I know he is eager to prove he can be a standout player in the USL (United Soccer League) and we look forward to having him join the squad.”
On his part, Tšotleho said he was happy to join Kickers. The playmaker is part of interim national football team coach Moses Maliehe’s weeklong camp which began on Monday to assess Likuena’s preparedness for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifier against the Seychelles in March.
Tšotleho said he is upbeat about his prospects in 2016.
“Since my return home to sort out my VISA issues, I was happy to be called to camp and train with the rest of the guys,” Tšotleho said.
“I will be going to my new team happy and in good physical shape thanks to the camp with Likuena after the Christmas break.
“I’m also very happy to be moving to a bigger team. However, my dream, like I said before, is to play in Europe. I believe it is still possible because I am only 24. So time is still on my side.”
Tšotleho left the country for the US as a 13-year-old after former Likuena goalkeeper, Thabane Sutu, recommended him to American soccer academies.