Bantu FC

Bantu Football Club is a Lesotho football club based in Mafeteng.

The team currently plays in Lesotho Premier League.

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.

Club Management

:: President : Mr. Leuta John Leuta
:: 1st Vice President : Mrs. Mamoji Letsapo
:: 2nd Vice president : Mr. Tseliso Ramatla
:: 3rd Vice President : Mr. Panyane Phiri
:: Secretary General and Head of Legal: Adv. Tefo Rabolinyane (Mr.)
:: Vice Secretary General: Adv. Mokhethi Raphuthing (Mr.)
:: Member Admin: Ms. Tankiso Moteletsane
:: Member Technical: Mr. Thabang Letele
:: Communication and Marketing Manager: Mr. Pule Mosoatsi
:: General Manager: Mr. Poosela Pule
:: Chief Finance Officer: Mr. Pitso T'sasanyane
:: Team Manager: Mr. Moruti Sekokotoana

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Sponsors

:: Metropolitan Lesotho
:: Naledi Funeral Planners

Through the hard work of the Bantu executive board, A Matšo Matebele is willing to source multiple sponsorships and partnerships for the benefit of the club. Bantu is very serious about lifting the shadow of amateur football.

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.

*CAF Champions League: 4 appearances

:: 2015– Preliminary Round
:: 2017 – Preliminary Round
:: 2018 – First Round
:: 2020 –Preliminary Round

*CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 2 appearances

:: 1994 – First Round
:: 1998 – Preliminary Round

*CAF Confederation Cup: 1 appearance

:: 2018 – Play-off Round

Achievements

*Lesotho Premier League: 4
::2013/2014 Vodacom-Ls Premier League champions
::2016/2017 Vodacom-Ls Premier League champions
::2017/2018 Econet Telecom-Ls Premier League champions.
::2019/2020 Champions.
* Lesotho Independence Cup (Top4):8
::1963 Independence Cup Top4 Championships
::1993 Independence Top4 Champions
::1997 Independence Top4 Champions
::2011 Top4 Independedence Top4 Champions
::2012 Independence Top4 Champions
::2013 Independence Top4 Champions
::2015 Independence Top4 Champions
::2017 Independence Top4 Champions.

* Lesotho National Insurance Group Top8 Cup: 1
::2016 LNIG Top8 Champions.

Current squad

Technical team

:: Moeketsi Abram Mangoya - Coach*
:: Victor Tlholo - Assistant Coach*
:: TBA - Assistant Coach 2
:: TBA - Goalkeepers Coach
:: TBA - Physio
:: Kubutu Mokoena - Kit Manager*

Former coaches

* Thabo Tsutsulupa
* Bob Atang Mafoso
* James Madidilane
* Katiso Mojakhomo
* Motlatsi Shale
* Caswell Moru
* Ntebele 'Tata Mcholene' Taole
* Mokhele Mokhele
* Lehlohonolo Thotanyane

Best players

Hlompho Kalake *

Lehlohonolo Fothoane *

Thabo Lesaoana *

Ntsane Lichaba *

Foreign players

Lindokuhle Phungulwa *

Bantu FC Supporters

Bantu has the craziest and most vibrant fans in Lesotho football. It is also one of the most progressive clubs. The club now has over 40,000 followers on Facebook which is the highest recorded number of football club followers in the country. In short, Bantu has laid down a marker for all clubs in the country to follow.

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

References

External links

Soccerway
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* www.bantufc.co.ls

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Lesotho Premier League clubs