Makoanyane XI, Bahlabani ready for high-stakes friendlies

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – The energy is palpable as Lesotho’s national youth football teams, Makoanyane XI and Bahlabani, step up their preparations for the prestigious Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Championships.

In what promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, both teams are set to engage in high-stakes friendly matches against South Africa’s formidable Amajita and Amajimbos next weekend.

Makoanyane XI, under the guidance of Halemakale Mahlaha, are fine-tuning their tactics for the COSAFA Youth Championship, which will unfold between September and October in the football-loving nation of Eswatini.

These matches are not just about regional bragging rights; they are critical qualifiers for the much-coveted Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Sidwell Mothea’s Bahlabani are sharpening their skills for the COSAFA Under-17 Championship set to light up Mozambique in December. The young talent are also eyeing qualification for the CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, making every match a proving ground for the dreams of these aspiring stars.

According to the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), Makoanyane XI will be crossing the border to face Amajita in two highly anticipated friendlies, scheduled for August 16 and 18 in South Africa. These encounters are expected to be a true test of endurance and strategy, providing the young Lesotho squad with invaluable experience against one of the region’s top teams.

On home soil, Bahlabani will have the advantage of familiar turf as they host Amajimbos at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena. These two fixtures, also set for August 16 and 18, will offer a glimpse into the future of Lesotho football, with young players eager to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves.

These COSAFA Championships are more than just tournaments; they are gateways to continental glory, serving as qualifiers for the CAF Under-20 and Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The stakes are high, and the young Lesotho teams are fully aware that their performance could pave the way to larger stages and greater challenges.

Adding to the excitement, the COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championship will also take place in Mozambique over the same dates, offering a platform for the region’s young female talents to shine and vie for their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations.

In another triumph for Lesotho football, the country’s elite female referees, Nteboheleng Setoko and Polotso Maapara, have been appointed to officiate at the upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Blantyre, Malawi, from August 15-24.

This marks their second consecutive appearance at this prestigious tournament, following their outstanding performances in last year’s edition in Durban, South Africa.

Setoko and Maapara’s journey to the international stage is a testament to their skill and dedication, with Setoko having officiated in the final between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Botswana’s Double Action.

Maapara on the other hand played a crucial role in the third-place playoff between Costa do Sol of Mozambique and Zambia’s Green Buffalos.

As the countdown to these crucial matches begins, the nation’s hopes are pinned on the young stars of Makoanyane XI and Bahlabani, who are not just playing for victory but for the pride of a nation eager to make its mark on the African football scene.