Likuena’s disappointing AFCON performance blamed on poor tactics

NTHAKO MAJORO
MASERU – Likuena have once again found themselves on the receiving end of criticism after back-to-back defeats in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. These losses have not only dampened the nation’s hopes of qualification but also reignited debates around the team’s tactical approach, particularly their tendency to adopt overly defensive strategies, which many believe has contributed to their downfall.

Last Thursday, Likuena suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Central African Republic, a team many anticipated they would perform better against. Just a few days later, on Monday, the team faced the Atlas Lions of Morocco, losing 1-0. While the result against Morocco was somewhat expected given the North African giant’s pedigree, it was the loss to the Central African Republic that caused the most disappointment among fans and analysts alike.

Football experts have pointed out that Likuena’s approach in both matches reflected a broader issue within the team: an overly cautious and defensive mindset, especially against teams considered to be on a similar level. LDF Ladies coach Lengana Nkhethoa was among the first to voice his concerns, stating that while the squad has the potential, they often underperform against what he calls the “so-called small teams.”

He said: “We do have a capable team, but we tend to lose against average teams while putting up better performances against the big teams. It is a mindset issue, and it is costing us dearly.”His analysis of the game against the Central African Republic was particularly pointed. Nkhethoa noted that the opposition did not dominate the game outright but benefited from Likuena’s overly defensive play, which allowed them to control possession in key moments.

“We were too defensive,” he said. “When you play in your half for the majority of the match, you are bound to make mistakes, and that is exactly what happened. Our defensive approach resulted in unnecessary corners, and they capitalised on those opportunities.”Nkhethoa further explained that while defending is crucial, Likuena need to strike a balance between defensc and attack. “Of course, when we do not have possession, we need to defend. But what do we do when we do have the ball? That is the real issue. We seem to panic and lose the ball too easily.”

His concerns were echoed in the post-match analysis of Likuena’s game against Morocco. While the team put in a commendable effort and managed to hold the Atlas Lions at bay for most of the game, they ultimately faltered in the dying minutes, conceding the only goal of the match.

This last-minute lapse in concentration, as Nkhethoa pointed out, was a result of fatigue from chasing the ball for 90 minutes. “When you spend the entire match marking your opponents, it is only a matter of time before concentration slips. You cannot defend for 90 minutes without any break in the pressure,” he said.  One of the more concerning aspects of Likuena’s recent performances is the sense of fear that seems to grip the players when they face stronger opponents.

Former Mehalalitoe coach, Lehloenya Nkhasi noted that Likuena’s performance against Morocco was characterised by hesitation and a reluctance to take risks. “Our players were too afraid of making mistakes,” he said. “They were so focused on not disappointing against a big team like Morocco that they ended up giving away possession too easily. This allowed Morocco to dictate the game and keep us pinned in our half.”

According to Nkhasi, this defensive mentality has significantly hurt Likuena’s chances of qualifying for AFCON 2025. “With these two losses, our chances are slim. The Central African Republic are on the rise, having won four of their last five games, and Morocco are a top team. It is going to be very difficult for Likuena to win all their remaining matches.”

Reflecting on the Morocco game, Nkhasi expressed disappointment in Likuena’s inability to capitalise on key moments. He pointed out that while the team defended admirably, they missed the opportunity to push forward and test the opposition.

“There were points in the game where we could have taken the match to Morocco, but we did not Instead, we sat back and waited for them to come at us, and that is what led to the final result,” he explained.

He also noted that statistics from the match painted a bleak picture. “Our ball possession was abysmal. We had only 21 percent possession compared to Morocco’s 79 percent. We also managed just two shots on goal the entire game, with only one on target. That is simply not enough.”

One alarming trend in Likuena’s recent matches has been their tendency to commit unnecessary fouls, particularly in dangerous areas. Nkhasi observed that while Morocco could not fully capitalise on the numerous set-pieces they earned, Likuena’s reliance on fouling to stop attacks was indicative of a deeper tactical issue. “Our technical team’s plan seemed to be to sit back and disrupt Morocco’s play by committing fouls. It is not a sustainable strategy, and while it worked to an extent, it ultimately failed us,” he said.

Another major factor affecting Likuena’s performance is the lack of a home ground advantage. Due to the ban imposed by FIFA on Setsoto Stadium, Likuena have been forced to play all their matches away from home, and this, according to former Lioli and LCS FC player Ramashalane Taeli, has been a significant disadvantage.

“We are playing all our games away, and that is tough. The players are not in familiar surroundings, and it shows in their performances,” he said. Taeli added: “It is a huge disadvantage, and if we are going to continue playing like this, it is going to be hard to see us winning many more matches.”

With the AFCON qualifiers now in full swing, Likuena face an uphill battle. They currently sit at the bottom of their group, with no points to show from two matches. Their upcoming fixtures against Gabon offer a glimmer of hope, but as football pundits have pointed out, unless there is  a significant shift in both tactics and mentality, it is hard to see Likuena turning their fortunes around.Former international referee Tšepo Mokhemisa perhaps summed it up best: “We need to stop underestimating teams and start playing with belief. Likuena have shown they can compete, but until they overcome this mental block, we will continue to struggle.”

As the nation watches and waits, the pressure is on Likuena to prove their critics wrong and rise to the occasion. Whether they can change their fortunes in time for the next match remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the team must adopt a more balanced and confident approach if they hope to succeed on the continental stage.