Lesotho Times
Lesotho's widely read newspaper, published every Thursday and distributed throughout the country and in some parts of South Africa. Contact us today: News: editor@lestimes.co.ls Advertising: marketing@lestimes.co.ls Telephone: +266 2231 5356
Leemisa Thuseho
THE Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has resolved to restrict the usage of expatriate players in the Premier League, A Division League, as well as in other lower leagues ahead of next season to create opportunities for local players to have more game time.
A recent LeFA national executive committee resolution states that starting from next season, a Premier League club will only be allowed to use three foreign players in a single match, out of the maximum of five which each club is allowed to register.
In the past seasons, clubs were still allowed to register a maximum of five foreign players. They could name or use all of them in a single match if they wanted to. That will no longer be the case. A club can now only use a maximum of three foreign players per match.
LeFA had since informed the clubs about the resolution.
“LeFA resolved that with effect from 1 July 2023, the premier league clubs will be allowed to register a maximum of five foreigners (this refers to players who are ineligible to represent Lesotho at national team level due to them holding non-Lesotho passports and citizenships.
“On match day, clubs can only name a maximum of three foreign players in their match day squads. This is irrespective of whether the player(s) are in the starting eleven or start as substitutes,” LeFA told the clubs in a recent circular seen by this publication.
According to the new regulation, in the A Division and other lower leagues (B and C Divisions), clubs can register a maximum of three foreigners but on any match day, clubs can only name one of three foreign players. This is irrespective of whether the player is on the starting eleven or starts as a substitute.
LeFA said the resolution was motivated by their observation that most clubs were using more foreign players in a single match, denying Basotho players a chance to improve their fitness.
“The resolution is motivated by the observation that there are now too many expatriate players who are actively playing in the place of local talent and this has adversely affected the introduction of new talent in the national teams.
“This move is aimed at ensuring that more Basotho players get opportunities to play,” LeFA said.
Meanwhile, LeFA has also made new resolutions regarding the quota of youth players in the A and B Divisions.
The association said starting from next season, at the start of every match, all A Division clubs shall name no less than three under-20 players in their match day starting eleven. Again, it says all the three players must play the entire first half of a match.
“There shall at all material times of the first half be no less than three under-20 players. The number can at the discretion of the clubs be reduced but at all material times during the second half (sic)there shall be no less than two under-20 players during the second half (sic),” LeFA explained.
B Division clubs shall name no less than four under-20 players in their match day starting eleven. All of the four players are expected to play the entire first half. In the second half the teams are allowed to decrease the number by just one under -20 player at their own discretion.
In the previous seasons the clubs were forced to feature a minimum of two under-20 players during the course of 90 minutes of play. But LeFA has resolved to increase the quota in attempt to make sure that more under-20 players are given a fair chance to play.
“The resolution is motivated by the observation that not enough talent at the age group of under-20 is being introduced into the leagues and this is aimed at bringing enough under-20 players,” LeFA said.