Maseru, Lesotho – 9 July 2026
Today, we celebrated another major milestone in our commitment to education and youth development by announcing international scholarship opportunities for two outstanding student-athletes from our flagship Scholar-Football Academy (SFA).
At a press conference held at the Kick4Life Centre, family members, partners, educators and supporters gathered to celebrate the achievements of Mariam Monnapula and Thuso Khoarane, who will soon begin the next chapter of their academic and football journeys abroad.
The event featured remarks from our leadership team, Academy staff, education partners, parents and the student-athletes themselves, highlighting the impact of the Scholar-Football Academy in creating life-changing opportunities for young people in Lesotho.
16-year-old Mariam Monnapula, a player for the Kick4Life Junior Girls team, volunteer life skills coach and a Mathematics and Chemistry tutor, has earned a scholarship to study the two-year Leadership Programme at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa. The residential pre-university programme combines rigorous academics with leadership development, entrepreneurial thinking and African studies, equipping young leaders with the skills to drive positive change while preparing them for admission to leading universities around the world. Mariam will begin her studies on 22 August 2026.
Since joining Kick4Life through our Soccer Schools programme in 2022, Mariam has embraced every opportunity to grow academically, on the football pitch and as a young leader. Alongside excelling in her studies, she has volunteered as a life skills coach, supported fellow students as a tutor and represented Lesotho at regional leadership forums, consistently demonstrating the values of the Scholar-Football Academy.
Reflecting on her scholarship, Mariam said: “Through Kick4Life, I have grown. I have learned to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. The Mariam of 2022 would never have stood in front of you to give a speech like this. Through Kick4Life, I have achieved so many things, and it has been instrumental in shaping the person I am today, both academically and in my personal development. As I head to the African Leadership Academy, I am going to be a leader for Africa. I hold this torch only for a moment, and I will make sure it burns as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
20-year-old Thuso Khoarane has secured a scholarship to study a four-year Bachelor of Information Technology Sciences degree, majoring in Cybersecurity, at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, USA. As a student-athlete, he will also represent the university’s football programme. He is scheduled to begin his studies on 1 August 2026.
Since joining Kick4Life in 2018, Thuso has progressed through every stage of our Academy pathway, from the Soccer School to captaining Kick4Life Juventude to the Lesotho A-Division League title. Beyond football, he has distinguished himself academically, completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma, gained workplace experience as an IT Administration Assistant trainee through our Fit4Work&Play programme and volunteered as a life skills coach, reflecting his commitment to learning, leadership and community service.
Expressing his gratitude, Thuso said: “Today is not really about Mariam and me. It is about everyone who has had a hand in building the people we are today. I would like to thank the entire Kick4Life family because you have changed my life in ways I cannot fully describe. Had I not come to Kick4Life, I believe my life would have been completely different. If I have seen more than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants. Today, the giant I am talking about is Kick4Life, because had it not been for this organisation, I would not be standing here today.”
These scholarships are a testament to the hard work, resilience and leadership Mariam and Thuso have demonstrated throughout their journeys with us. Both have embraced the Scholar-Football Academy’s holistic approach to youth development by excelling in education, giving back through volunteering and using football as a platform to create positive change.
Since 2016, our Scholar-Football Academy has created international education pathways for talented young people by combining academic excellence, football development and character education. We continue to equip student-athletes with the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills needed to access higher education opportunities around the world.
Kick4Life Academics Coordinator, Ms. Likhapha Khemi, congratulated the students and reflected on the organisation’s commitment to supporting young people beyond the football pitch. “At Kick4Life, we are committed to ensuring that our participants are not only supported academically and athletically, but are also equipped with the skills, knowledge and values needed to navigate real-life challenges. We are incredibly proud of both of you and believe you will inspire other young people in Lesotho to see that through dedication, determination and hard work, everything is possible. As you embark on this journey, remember that you are representing your families, Kick4Life and Lesotho. Go out there and make us proud.”
As Mariam and Thuso prepare to embark on their new journeys, they join a growing network of Scholar-Football Academy alumni who are studying and working across the globe while serving as ambassadors for Lesotho and inspiring the next generation of young leaders. We congratulate Mariam and Thuso on this outstanding achievement and wish them every success as they begin this exciting new chapter.
