Mahlaha challenges Makoanyane XI to step up
…this is after the team’s crushing defeats against Amajita
NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – The air at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena was filled with tension and reflection after Makoanyane XI’s back-to-back defeats against South Africa’s U-20 national team, Amajita, in two closely-watched friendly matches.
For the Lesotho Under-20 men’s national team, these were more than just matches; they were wake-up calls. The team had been preparing for the upcoming Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Youth Championship in Eswatini, but the heavy losses – 3-1 and 4-0 – brought into sharp focus the challenges that lay ahead.
Halemakale Mahlaha, head coach of Makoanyane XI, did not mince words as he urged his players to push themselves beyond the limits, not just during team practices but individually as well. With the COSAFA Youth Championship only a few months away, he emphasised the need for his young players to work on their fitness independently.
The coach’s frustration was palpable; the team had regrouped only a day before the first match, leaving them ill-prepared for the intensity of the South African side, which had spent more than a week in camp.
“The South African players were physically fit. Their level of fitness was very high compared to ours, which was very low because we could not train well due to school commitments,” Mahlaha explained.
The Lesotho team’s training had been disrupted by academic obligations, a recurring challenge for the young athletes who juggle the pressures of representing their nation on the field and excelling in their studies.
Mahlaha was quick to highlight the difference in preparation between the two sides. “They are from a 10-day camp, while we came here only on Thursday in the afternoon,” he said, acknowledging that the lack of adequate preparation had left his players at a disadvantage.
But the seasoned coach refused to use this as an excuse. Instead, he saw the defeats as valuable learning experiences for his players, opportunities to identify their weaknesses and address them ahead of the COSAFA tournament.
Despite the crushing losses, Mahlaha remained optimistic. “We have had a real test, which I think would be helpful for us going forward as we continue preparing for the competition,” he said. He admitted that Amajita had outplayed his team, particularly in the midfield, where the South African players’ mobility and skill were too much for Makoanyane XI to handle.
“They were very mobile in the midfield, and my midfielders could not cope with their mobility,” Mahlaha said. The tough matches against Amajita were eye-opening for the Lesotho players, many of whom had never faced such a formidable opponent.
“I think as the players, they now have a clear understanding because they have never had a test like this one. This was the first one,” Mahlaha said. The experience, though painful, had given the team a glimpse of the level they needed to reach if they were to compete successfully in the COSAFA Youth Championship and beyond.
Amajita coach Xaniseka Raymond Mdaka, while pleased with his team’s performance, was gracious in his assessment of Makoanyane XI. “Much as we might have scored, I also think the Lesotho team is a good team; do not undermine them,” he said.
Mdaka acknowledged that conceding multiple goals can be demoralising, but emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. “It is just that when you concede more goals, sometimes you lose focus,” he said, adding that confidence was key for any young team.
“Players need confidence to say yes, we can do it. But once mentally they do not have that character, then it becomes a problem.” Mdaka’s words resonated with Mahlaha, who understood that building confidence and character in his players was just as important as improving their fitness and technical abilities.
The South African coach’s praise was a reminder that despite the heavy defeats, Makoanyane XI had potential. Mdaka believed that with hard work, the Lesotho team could significantly improve. “I still maintain and believe that they are a good team, and with hard work, they can be much better than they are,” he said.
The friendly matches saw Amajita take control from the outset, with their first goal coming in the 8th minute. They doubled their lead just four minutes later, and by the 25th minute, they had already scored their third.
The final nail in the coffin came from Kaizer Chiefs, star Mfundo ‘Obrigado’ Vilakazi, who netted the fourth goal in the second half. Vilakazi had also scored in the first match, making him a thorn in Makoanyane XI’s side throughout the two encounters.
Makoanyane XI, however, were not without talent. Their squad included Tumelo Shai, a Kaizer Chiefs player who had shown promise in both matches. But the team’s inexperience and lack of preparation were evident, and Mahlaha knew that they had a long way to go before they could compete at the highest level.
The challenges facing Makoanyane XI were mirrored by the Lesotho Under-17 national team, Bahlabani, who also suffered heavy defeats against their South African counterparts, Amajimbos.
Bahlabani lost 4-0 and 3-1 in their respective matches, highlighting the gap between Lesotho’s youth teams and their more established neighbours.
Both Makoanyane XI and Bahlabani now face a race against time as they prepare for their respective COSAFA tournaments. For Makoanyane XI, the COSAFA Youth Championship in Eswatini will not only be a chance to compete for regional glory but also an opportunity to qualify for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The stakes could not be higher, and Mahlaha knows that his team must rise to the occasion. As the players returned home to reflect on their performances, Mahlaha’s message remained clear: they must push themselves harder than ever before. The road to success would be paved with sweat, sacrifice, and self-discipline.
