Tricky rugby finale

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – Liqhomane and Mabote Beavers meet in the Econet Rugby Championship final this weekend with the sole aim of winning the 2023 title. Beavers reached the final after narrowly beating last year’s champions Maseru Warriors 13-12 in the semi-final, while Liqhomane booked a place in the final after defeating Academy 31-28, both at the Makoanyane Barracks Ground last Saturday.

The final between Liqhomane and Beavers will take place at Air Wing Ground this Saturday, after the third-place contest between Warriors and Academy at the same venue. The Liqhomane-Beavers final is expected to be an interesting rugby finale, with both teams’ coaches admitting that it’ is going to be a tricky match to play. “Of course, every final is expected to be tough, and this is not going to be an exception,” said Liqhomane coach, Semethe Mosoeu in an interview with Public Eye yesterday.

“It is going to be tough because these two teams have qualified to play in the final, proving themselves beyond any doubt that they are both teams to beat.” Mosoeu said the Beavers beat Liqhomane in the first round, while the former also lost to the latter in the second round of the Econet Rugby League.

“Therefore, this is not going to be an easy game,” he said. Mosoeu further said: “But the spirit is very high at our camp, and my players are determined to win the upcoming final.” Liqhomane go to the Saturday final not sure whether their full-back Kubutu Makhakhe and hooker Thuloane Mohapi will be available for selection against the Beavers tomorrow.

Mosoeu said both Makhakhe and Mohapi sustained injuries against Academy last weekend. “We are waiting for our team doctors to update us concerning the two players’ injuries. “So we are not sure whether or not they will be available for selection against the Beavers on Saturday,” Mosoeu said.

Beavers coach Letsielo Mabitle also said: “It is going to be a very tough game. We are facing a tough team in Liqhomane, boasting physically good players, and that’s their advantage.” Mabitle said further: “To us, that is a disadvantage. Our players are not physically good if they are to be compared with the Liqhomane players.”

However, Mabitle said the Beavers’ advantage going to the Saturday final is having intelligent players. “Our disadvantage is lacking physically good players compared to Liqhomane, but we have intelligent players. “But that is not to say it will be a walk in the park. We will work hard so that, at the end of the day, we will emerge the winners.”

Mabitle said, just like Liqhomane, the Beavers also have players who are nursing injuries from previous matches. “It is true some of my boys are still nursing injuries, but with or without them, we will play the final,” he said. Both Beavers and Liqhomane are former rugby championship winners.