Former national team captain, Basia Makepe, has announced his retirement from football bringing the curtain down on a 16-year career which started in the dusty streets of Motsemocha in Leribe.
Makepe, who had already retired from international football with his last match being the final of the 2023 COSAFA Cup final, stated that he is proud of a career that he has had.
Among his major achievements was captaining the Lesotho National U20 side to the then African Youth Championship in 2011 as well as leading Likuena to the final of the COSAFA Cup in 2023, which was for the first time in 23-years.
From making his topflight debut at now defunct Joy FC in 2008, Makepe has captained every club and national team he has played for.
“I had a wonderful career though it had its ups and downs which I can say, it’s part of life, but I can’t complain because I had a fabulous time out in the pitch as a footballer,” Makepe says.
“Coming from outside Maseru, which we sometimes think is a disadvantage, I never imagined myself being the captain of the national teams from Makoanyane XI to Likuena, but I guess the respect I had for what I was doing or love is the one that attracted the my coaches to make me their captain.
“Being chosen as the captain at every club I played for, and the national teams came as a surprise because when I arrived, I would find seasoned players that have been in the game longer than me, but I was consistent with the way I conducted myself to continue being handed that responsibility until I hanged my boots.”
Makepe credited the late owner of now defunct Joy FC for his illustrious career, who he said was very instrumental in motivating him in his early days playing top-flight football.
“To be honest, I never saw it coming but I will always thank the late owner of Joy FC, Dr Knight because he always pushed and motivated me to have become a player that I have during my career,” said the former Likuena captain.
The Leribe born defender stated that becoming the first defender in the domestic league to score a hat-trick against Mpharane Celtic while at Lioli as well as being the defender with most goals at clubs he played remains one of the sweetest moments of his career alongside captaining his country at both junior and senior national level.
“Being the first defender to score a hat-trick against Mpharane Celtic during my time at Lioli as well as being the highest scoring defender at all clubs stand among memorable moment of my career.
“Of course, winning the league and every major trophy at Lioli in short spell that I was at the club was very sweet as well,” he said.
“Leading Likuena to bronze at the COSAFA Cup in 2018 and silver in 2023, my last tournament of the team was very special of my career. Just being given the responsibility to lead the national team alone is such an honour.
While the defender leaves the stage with a full trophy cabinet, he remains disappointed with failure to secure a spot in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, where they needed to beat Cape Verde in the final game to book a place to the prestigious continental showpiece but could only afford a draw.
“Failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in our last Group L match against Cape Verde, where we needed a win but could only grind a draw as we as not having won any trophy with LMPS, who are my last team before retirement are always in my mind because they are part of the positive memories as we were very competitive and close to achieving big things,” he concluded.
Makepe bows out having won 87 caps for his country and having netted two goals.