Likuena shift focus to CHAN Qualifiers 

NTHAKO MAJORO

MASERU – After a dismal run in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, Likuena have turned their attention to a new challenge—the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers.  With fresh determination, the national team is gearing up to face Namibia in the first leg of the CHAN Qualifiers at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, this Saturday.

Their goal is to shake off the disappointment of the AFCON campaign and carve a new path forward. Likuena are still reeling from a 2-0 loss to Gabon, suffered at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa last week. The defeat compounded an already frustrating AFCON Qualifying run, intensifying the pressure on the team’s coaching staff. Head coach Leslie Notsi did not shy away from acknowledging the weight on his shoulders.

“We are definitely feeling the pressure,” Notsi admitted. “Likuena have not been performing well in recent competitions, and we need to get back to winning ways.”

He explained that had Likuena performed better in both the AFCON and World Cup Qualifiers, they might have taken a more experimental approach in the CHAN tournament, resting some of the regular players. But the current situation calls for a more balanced squad, with a mix of experienced players and a few new talent, as Likuena aim to qualify for a major tournament.

“We still want to see Likuena making it into one of the major tournaments,” Notsi said.

Likuena’s coach expressed optimism about the readiness of the players called up for the CHAN Qualifiers. With the local league already in progress, most players have been playing regularly, which bodes well for match fitness and cohesion.

“We are fortunate that our league is underway, and all the players we have selected are getting game time at their respective clubs,” he said. “That makes things easier for us as a technical team.”

One of Likuena’s critical challenges, however, has been scoring goals. The lack of firepower has plagued the team in both domestic and international competitions, and Notsi made it clear that this was a focal point in their preparations.

“We have been closely monitoring players, particularly those who have been doing well in front of goals,” he said. “Scoring goals has been a big issue for us, and if we want to progress in the CHAN tournament we need to be clinical in front of goals.”

Namibia, Likuena’s upcoming opponent, are a familiar foe. The two teams have faced off twice this year—first in a friendly that ended in a 1-1 draw and then in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup where Namibia edged Likuena 2-1.

Those recent encounters have provided Notsi with valuable insight into Namibia’s approach, and he believes that Likuena are better prepared this time around.

“We have heard from their coach (Namibia national team’s coach Collin Benjamin) that they played a rough game to beat us (in the COSAFA Cup),” Notsi said

He said they were ready for that physicality in the CHAN Qualifiers.

He also emphasised the importance of continuity in the squad, with many of the players having been part of the team in the past, such as Jerry Kamela and Hlompho Kalake, amongst others. Notsi believed this familiarity would be key to their success in the Qualifiers.

Despite their struggles in the past, Likuena are hopeful that this campaign could be different. The team has never progressed beyond the group stages of the CHAN tournament.

 Likuena squad

Goalkeepers

Tankiso Chaba (LCS FC)

Motlatsi Sebapala (Bantu)

Ntsane Molise (Linare)

Defenders

Mpho Hlephole (Lioli)

Rethabile Mokokoane (Matlama)

Rethabile Rasethuntša (Linare)

Mohlomi Makhetha (LCS FC)

Thabo Mafatle (Bantu)

Leluma Phosholi (Lioli)

Thabo Matšoele (Linare)

Mokhele Molise (LDF FC)

Midfielders

Jerry Kamela (Lioli)

Lehlohonolo Fothoane (Bantu)

Hlompho Kalake (Bantu)

Paseka Maile (Kick4Life Juventude)

Tšepo Toloane (LDF FC)

Lehlohonolo Matsu (LDF FC)

Khubetsoana Kamela (LMPS FC)

Lisema Lebokollane (Matlama)

Strikers

Teboho Masuoane (Lioli)

Lemohang Lintša (LU FC)

Tšeliso Botsane (Bantu)

Katleho Makateng (LDF FC)