Mafoso completes Lioli's long speculated move
Atang ‘Bob’ Mafoso has
joined Lioli FC as a technical director, completing a long speculated move to the
Teya-teyaneng based-side. Lioli broke the news of Mafoso joining Tse Nala on the club on Wednesday this week. “The management of Lioli Football Club would like to make an announcement to the fans and supporters that it has appointed Bob Mafoso as the team’s technical director,” read the club’s Facebook page.
The statement further read: “Mafoso is leading the coaching department of the club.”
Mafoso officially parted ways with Bantu in the beginning of last week after his contract expired in August last year, during which talks between the club’s management and him on the renewal of his contracted started.
But the two ended up not agreeing terms and Bantu have since roped in the South African mentor, Thabo Tsutsulupa, as their new coach.
“Of course, I am confirming that I have accepted Lioli’s offer to be the team’s technical director,” said Mafoso. “Hopefully I will be the technical director until the end of the current season and from there we will talk about being their coach starting from next season.”
Mafoso said his contract with Lioli would be for two seasons and half. “You can say it’s a two-year and half contract since I would maybe serve as the technical director for half a season and then as a coach for two seasons.”
Mafoso said in the first place the plan was for him to take over as Lioli’s team. “In fact, that’s the plan that I will be Lioli’s coach from next season.”
This would be Mafoso’s first time working as a technical director and he said the difference is that he would be sitting on the bench and not be coaching. “This is going to be my first time working as a technical director and the big difference is that I would not be sitting on the bench and not coaching the team like when I was a coach.
“I would only discuss with the coach what he would like to achieve and the direction which the club would like to take from the development up to the senior team.” Mafoso said further reiterated that he may be there at the team’s training sessions but said he should not take over the coach’s responsibilities.
“I may be there but I should not be interfering. The team is still under the guidance of Coach Moshulu ‘Shoes’ Mokhothu as the main man and ours would just be to advise him based on what he wants to do. Mafoso said his main job for now would be to study Lioli’s opponents and scout players for the team.
Mafoso made a name for himself during his time as a coach for the now defunct Sandawana FC some seasons ago when he led the then Premiership campaigners into the top 4 finish in his first season in charge. He went on to win league titles and domestic cup competitions with Bantu as the assistant coach and head coach respectively. Mafoso has also lead the Lesotho under-20 national team, Makoanyane XI and Kick4Life FC in the top-flight league.