Footballers Union honors Masaseng
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:10
Masaseng left the local body after years of service to join the continental body, FIFPro Africa division as its new secretary-general, of which the FUB is an affiliate. His family, football administrators, former football players as well as his ex-associates from sectors of life, graced his farewell ceremony.
FUB presented him with a Lifetime a achievement award and also gave him the title of honorary secretary-general of the union.
FUB president, Onalethata Tshekiso, attributed his current involvement in football to Masaseng.
The former Zebras striker said it was Masaseng who convinced him to remain serving football beyond his playing career.
“You played a part in a lot of us. You build our characters, you built this organisation with us but mostly it was you all the time, making sure that everybody is not left behind,” Tshekiso said at the ceremony,
“I don’t think there is anybody at FUB today who has problems with the way you apply yourself, how you lead others and how you assert yourself over and above everything. “I take this moment to thank you.”
Another speaker, Arnold Mampori, who currently plays for Tonota FC said Masaseng was also instrumental in convincing him to continue serving football beyond his playing career. Mampori, who is currently serving as the ambassador of the union, revealed that his first meeting with Masaseng was during his playing days with Nico United around 2015.
He explained that at the time there was a heated meeting between the players and club management over unpaid wages. Mampori said at the meeting, despite his young age (24) at the time, he stood up to remind the management of the club that they demanded to be paid their dues.
After this bold stance, Mampori recalled that Masaseng was impressed by his bravery and told him that players like him, who stand for their rights, are important.
“We will always remember you. You started this organisation because you saw a system where players were often not protected, left at the mercy of unfair practices that varied from club to club. “You made it your mission to change that. Your greatest, most historic victory is the fight you won for the introduction of the standard contracts,” he said.
Founding president, Mmoni ‘States’ Segopolo also delivered a tribute saying Masaseng was relentless in ensuring that the players’ rights are not trampled upon by their respective clubs.
He also said Masaseng is leaving behind a legacy. FUB has since appointed Unoda ‘Pride’ Mahlaya as its substantive secretary-general.
Mahlaya had been holding the position on an acting basis.