Budding Mehalalitoe defender over the moon with COSAFA accolades
Mehalalitoe’s star Bokang Ntsane may be young, but her presence on the field has been nothing short of transformative. At just 22, Ntsane has become one of Lesotho’s brightest football talents, a defender whose energy and resilience have made her stand out in both domestic league and regional tournaments.
Fresh off her performance in the 2024 Hollywood bets COSAFA Women’s Championship, where she scooped the Player of the Match award against Mozambique, Ntsane opened-up about the team’s journey, the challenges they faced, and her aspirations to take her game to new heights.
The Mehalalitoe defender’s impressive displays at the tournament earned her a place in the COSAFA 2024 Group Stage Best, which was dominated by South Africa and Zambia, who contested the final of this year’s edition of the tournament.
Despite an early exit from the COSAFA tournament, Ntsane emphasized the unity and grit the team displayed. She said they faced tough competition in a challenging group alongside Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
They fought valiantly, securing a draw against Mozambique in their last game, though they ultimately could not advance. For Ntsane, though, the journey was more about growth and improvement than the final score line.
“This year we were fighting as a team,” Ntsane said. “We were cooperative, and we really gave it our best even though we were up against teams with more experience, but we fought a good fight,”
This spirit of camaraderie, Ntsane believes, is setting the foundation for a promising future. Mehalalitoe still have room to grow in terms of technical and tactical development, but their willingness to play with heart, she believes, is what will propel them forward.
Ntsane’s rise to prominence has been rapid, marked by determination and a relentless drive to improve. Her agility, speed, and tactical understanding on the field have not only won her recognition at COSAFA, where she was named Player of the Match against Mozambique, but also in Lesotho’s Women’s Super League (WSL), where she consistently stands out as one of the best defenders.
For Ntsane, earning the Player of the Match award on a regional stage was a career highlight. “I am over the moon, this is the best feeling ever,” she said. Glory be to God and the support from my family, they really pushed me to work hard, and this is the results of working hard. I also give credit to my teammates and technical team and to my coaches from my club side,”
With her strong showing at COSAFA, Ntsane is beginning to attract attention from clubs outside Lesotho—a development she’s both excited and humbled by. She hopes to explore opportunities to play internationally, gaining experience that she believes would benefit not only her but also the future of Mehalalitoe.
“Yes, there has been, and hopefully there is still going to be more teams because that’s my wish to play in other countries and have more experience,” Ntsane continued. “I wish there will be more teams which will be interested especially after being exposed to COSAFA lots of people were able to recognize our talent and skills,”
For Ntsane, playing internationally is not just a personal dream; it’s a chance to elevate Lesotho’s reputation in women’s football and inspire other young girls who aspire to follow in her footsteps.
Back at home now, Ntsane’s immediate focus shifts back to her club, Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), where she and her teammates are aiming to defend their league title. It appears Ntsane’s journey is only beginning, and her spirit exemplifies the qualities needed to put Mehalalitoe on the map.
Tlalane Phahla
