Football: tensions at the Lesotho federation
Ahead of the electoral commission vote, the Lesotho Football Association is divided, with its president under pressure
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Elected head of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) in 2005, lawyer Salemane Phafane is one of the longest-serving federation presidents still in office - especially since Walter Nyamilandu's defeat in the elections in Malawi last winter.
Comfortably re-elected in 2021 for a fifth term (42 votes to 7 for his challenger, Lijane Nthunya), Phafane has no intention of stopping there and is actively preparing for the 2025 elections. To that end, the LeFA meets this Saturday, 9 November, to appoint the members of the electoral commission. It is a task that illustrates the growing tensions within the federation.
The first vice-president in opposition
According to Tebalo Lebajoa, a local journalist covering sport in Lesotho, Phafane took home the files relating to the electoral commission appointments. The blunder angered first vice-president Khiba Mohoanyane, who plans to report the incident and his president's methods.
The latter is currently the leader of the opposition to Phafane, according to information gathered by Sport News Africa. Indeed, the appointment of the electoral commission members is now of crucial importance to both camps, especially to the current president, who is convinced he could lose the next elections if people less favourable to his cause are appointed.
As for FIFA, it has sent an official letter to the LeFA saying it will send a delegation on site. However, other issues are expected before the elections scheduled in the coming months...