Foreign based players unavailable for Likuena
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Lesotho’s foreign based players are not available for the senior national team Likuena for the two scheduled friendly games against Mozambique and eSwatini next month.
The two friendly games are in preparation for the COSAFA Cup tournament which has been scheduled for July 2-17 in South Africa, as the competition marks its return after it was postponed last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The national team coach, Thabo Senong, however, has since confirmed the foreign based players he selected for national duty for the Mozambique and eSwatini matches will not make the team. The called up foreign based players are Napo Matsoso who plays for the Louisville City, Kabai Mahlatse for the Gardner Webb University and Lesia Thetsane, all in the United States.
Others are Thabiso Brown who is in Bolivia, Nkoto Masoabi with Asswehly SC in Libya, Tumelo Khutlang who plays for Black Leopard, Motebang Sera with Bloemfontein Celtic, Tswarelo Bereng with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Luciano Matsoso with Wits, all in South Africa.
“The challenges we have is the unavailability of Brown. The same thing applies for Napo Matsoso,” said Senong in a media briefing at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena on Wednesday. “We are waiting for a response from Lesia Thetsane’s coach and Kabai’s coach as well.”
Senong further said: “Another challenge is the unavailability of Khutlang, Sera and Bereng who are all still committed to their clubs (for the remaining crucial matches of the 2020/21 season).” Leopards are the last team on the 16-team DSTV Premiership log table and are remaining with two matches which if they could win are likely to escape the relegation to the GladAfrica Championship.
Leopards have collected 22 points from 28 matches. This is while the 10th placed Celtic and the 13th placed Tshakhuma are surely looking to finish the season among the top eight teams.
Likuena will leave for Mozambique (as both friendly matches will both take place in Mozambique) this Sunday
Likuena squad to face Mozambique and eSwatini:
Goalkeepers: Sekhoane Moerane, Monaheng Ramalefane
Defenders: Basia Makepe, Thabang Malane, Lesia Thetsane, Motlomelo Mkwanazi, Thabo Matšoele, Lisema Lebokollane, Tšoanelo Koetle, Kabai Mahlatsane
Midfielders: Tumelo Ngatane, Tau Masiu, Jane Thabantšo, Hlompho Kalake, Tšepo Toloane, Jane Tšotleho, Luciano Matsoso, Tumelo Makha
Strikers: Nkoto Masoabi, Litšepe Marabe
