Makateng grateful for national team exposure

National team striker Katleho Makateng has broken his silence after penning a two-year contract with Richards Bay in the South African DSTV Premiership.

The 23-year-old hitman admitted that playing for his country at the recently ended Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup, was a game changer for him securing a move to the PSL.

“I’m over the moon with the developments and looking forward to a new chapter of my career playing in the South African Premiership for Richard Bay,” Makateng said.

“Of course, it will be a new territory for me, which makes it difficult, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. That’s my promise to my supporters in Lesotho.”

The speedy marksman, who has scored three goals in six games since making his Likuena debut in March, is adamant South Africa is a good steppingstone for his career after an impressive maiden season playing topflight football in the kingdom.

“My dream is to one day play in Europe and I believe playing in South Africa will be a good steppingstone for me to develop and grow as a player,” the forward stated.

“I’m very grateful for the support I received from everyone at LDF FC, the Lesotho Football Association, my teammates at club level and the national team as well as Basotho at large.

“There is no doubt that playing for the national team was a game changer. It opened doors for me and made it possible for scouts to see my talents,” he said.

Makateng was unstoppable in his maiden year playing topflight football in Lesotho, where he scored 20 goals for LDF FC and had a clean sweep at the end of the season awards.

He scooped the Player of the Season, Players Player of the Season, Top Goal Scorer and Young Player of the Season Awards.