Bantu FC

In this article, we will explore in depth the topic of Bantu FC and its impact on our current society. We will analyze the various perspectives and opinions that exist around Bantu FC, as well as its relevance in different contexts. Additionally, we will examine the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the evolution of Bantu FC over time. Through this detailed analysis, we seek to provide a holistic view of Bantu FC, with the aim of better understanding its importance and role in the contemporary world.

Bantu FC
Full nameBantu Football Club
Nickname(s)A Mats'o Matebele
Founded1927
GroundLeshoboro Seeiso Sports Complex Mafeteng, Lesotho
Capacity7,000[citation needed]
ChairmanLeuta John Leuta
CoachJames Madidilane
LeagueLesotho Premier League

Bantu Football Club is a Lesotho football club based in Mafeteng.The team currently plays in the Lesotho Premier League.[1] It last won the Premier League in the 2022/2023 season with 68 points.[2]

History

Bantu F.C. was formed in 1927 as Flying Sweeps of Mafeteng and later renamed Bantu F.C. The founders were the then district Commissioner Button in Consultation with the four Principal Chiefs of Mafeteng.

The team was given the name Bantu after it was alleged that the first tribes to arrive in the district were Matebele hence the chiefs had to rule different tribes and clans which were all the Bantu speaking people. Thus, the rationale behind the name was meant to unite all the tribes in Mafeteng.

The team has always been regarded as a district number one priority in Mafeteng district. Over the years it has strived to be one of the top football brands in Lesotho and some other parts of Southern Africa as evident from both local and international accolades conferred. The traditional colours of Bantu are black and gold which are the celebrated colours of Mafeteng district. The team is nicknamed A Mats’o Matebele and its supporters Makaota. Home stadium is Leshoboro Seeiso Sports Complex in Mafeteng, alternative stadiums are Setsoto and Maputsoe DiFA in Maseru and Leribe respectively.

Performance in CAF competitions

Bantu represented Lesotho for the first time in CAF Competitions by appearing at the CAF Cup Winners Cup (Confederations Cup) in 1993. Bantu was drawn against Black Africa of Namibia and for the first leg of the preliminary round; it had to travel for a long distance by bus from Mafeteng to Windhoek, Namibia only to find that their opponents won’t play because of Political instability in the country. Then, Bantu progressed to the second round where they played against Witbank Black Aces of South Africa.

2015– preliminary round
2017 – preliminary round
2018 – first round
2020 – preliminary round
1994 – first round
1998 – preliminary round
2018 – play-off round

Honours

League

Cup competitions

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK Lesotho LES Jessy Matsie
30 GK Lesotho LES Thabiso Ntsane Lichaba
1 GK Lesotho LES Motlatsi Sebapala
24 DF Lesotho LES Itumeleng Falene
19 DF Lesotho LES Johannes Molapo
— DF Lesotho LES Motiki Mohale
16 DF Lesotho LES Ts'oanelo Koetle
— DF Lesotho LES Andile Sekonyela
— DF Lesotho LES Liteboho Mohloki
— DF Lesotho LES Meller Lebetsa
7 MF Lesotho LES Hlompho Kalake
— DF Lesotho LES Moteloa Khemisi
20 MF South Africa RSA Lindokuhle Phungulwa
10 MF Lesotho LES Lehlohonolo Fothoane
— MF South Africa RSA Sboniso Mahlangu
— MF Lesotho LES Moriana Moriana
23 MF Lesotho LES Tumelo Khabele
12 MF Lesotho LES Thabo Lesaoana
— MF Lesotho LES Katiso Selili
21 MF Lesotho LES Thabo Mafatle
— MF South Africa RSA Doctor James Mahlangu
18 MF Lesotho LES Katleho Sefuthi
9 FW Lesotho LES Tseliso Botsane
— FW Lesotho LES Morapeli Lesoetsa
— FW South Africa RSA Sabata Letlatsa
8 FW Lesotho LES Lits'epe Marabe

Technical team

James Madidilane - Coach* South Africa
Kabelo Malapane - Assistant Coach* South Africa
Esaiah Mosala - Goalkeeper Coach* Lesotho
Dr. Mpho Seleke - Team Doctor* Lesotho
Tichaona Tokwe - Orthopaedic Segion* Lesotho
Rapulungoana Pita - Physiotherapist* Lesotho
Mokhethi Rampopo - Physiotherapist* Lesotho
Paseka Lebenya - Care Taker* Lesotho
Amohelang Lelimo - Assistant Care Taker* Lesotho

Former coaches

Best players

Hlompho Kalake *  Lesotho

Lehlohonolo Fothoane *  Lesotho

Thabo Lesaoana *  Lesotho

Ntsane Lichaba *  Lesotho

Foreign players

Lindokuhle Phungulwa *  South Africa

Sboniso Mahlangu *  South Africa

Doctor James Mahlangu *  South Africa

Sabata Letlatsa *  South Africa

Bantu FC supporters

As of March 2025, the club has over 63,000 followers on Facebook.[5]

Some of the notable outstanding players over the years

  • Scara Meikente 1940s/50s
  • City Mats’oara 1960s
  • Dessert Mohapi 1960s
  • Chippa Mathibeli 1960s
  • Naughty Rabolinyane 1960s
  • Zero Sehapi 1960s
  • Success Mosoeu 1980s
  • Valdez Lesenyeho 1980/90s
  • Popo ‘Pretty boy’ Mats’oara 1980s/1990s
  • Lehlohonolo Seema 1990s
  • Sekeleme Lephole 1990s
  • Morapeli ‘Sprinter’ Tlali 1990s
  • Holo Mafantiri 1990s
  • Tsepo ‘Motion’ Jobo 1990s
  • Lebohang ‘Tona’ Sekatle 1990s
  • Thabiso ‘Cellular Phone’ Mokhoele 1990s
  • Thato ‘Chocco’ Ralethoko 1990s
  • Tlali ‘Cabazela’ Maile 2000s-2016
  • Thapelo "Tenda" Mokhehle 2000-2021
  • Pro Lesenyeho 1980s

References

  1. ^ "lesotho premier". soccerway. 2014. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  2. ^ "Premier League 2022/2023 Standings & Team Forms | Soccer24.com". www.soccer24.com. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  3. ^ "Lesotho — List of Champions".
  4. ^ Raophala, Mauwane (2025-03-17). "Lehlohonolo Seema lifts trophy with Lesotho side". FARPost. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  5. ^ https://www.facebook.com/bantufcofficialpage/