13 Oct 2022

Orapa United left back, Lesenya ‘Lee’ Ramoraka, will be laid to rest at his home village of Chadibe tomorrow.

He died in a road accident last week.

In a memorial service in Orapa on Wednesday, Ramoraka was described as an asset, who had an experience that the team depended on.

The Ostriches coach, Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote, said Ramoraka was a hardworker who trained twice daily and he regarded football as a career.

Lee was a true professional and a straight talker, according to Mpote.

Orapa United vice chairperson, Themba Mmui, said Ramoraka joined the Ostriches in 2015 after being recruited from Chappies games in Chadibe.

Ramoraka, Mmui said, helped to elevate the team to position two in the Premier League log for the first time in history.

Mmui said Ramoraka was a star and this attracted the national team coaches to recruit him.

South African team such as Highland Parks and TS Galaxy also sought his services.

Mmui indicated that Ramoraka underwent an extensive operation and health officials ensured that he was well taken care of, so that he could go back to the field. Some people, he said, had given up on him and thought his career had ended, but he had confidence in himself.

Mmui noted that Ramoraka’s compliance to treatment and medication was of high standard, which led to his recovery.

Debswana representative, Lefhoko Sethoko, said Ramoraka’s demise saddened them as he was one of the players who played to his full capability.

Sethoko said the defender was a true player and a model, adding ‘Lee had this winning mentality and brought the team a lot of cups’.

“He was a gem, a star and one that you can trust,” he said.

As the sponsor, Debswana wanted Orapa United to be a commercial entity so that it could sustain itself. This would also enable the team to unearth talent of Ramoraka’s calibre.

Sethoko said they wanted to follow on the foot-tracks of Ramoraka by marketing their players internationally.

One of the players, Lemogang Maswena, said he was struggling to make peace with Ramoraka’s departure as he was playing left back, while he (Maswena) was on the left wing.

Maswena said he became close to Ramoraka through Tapiwa Namanjiva, adding he usually helped them to overcome fear by leading them with songs as they prepared to get on the field.

His hope, he said, was that he would have closure as they take Ramoraka to his last resting place in Chadibe on Saturday.

Councillor Chilume Balopi called on Debswana leadership to name one of the streets in Orapa or Derrick Morre stadium after Ramoraka, noting it was time to recognise and honour people who had left a good track record. ENDS