‘Fight for the badge…’
Mehalalitoe captain rallies troops, looks into the future
MPHO RAMOLULA
MASERU – The bid by senior women’s national team Mehalalitoe’s mentor, Shalane Lehohla, to inject new blood into the squad took off on a positive note despite back-to-back losses to their South African counterparts in two international friendly games played at the University of Johannesburg sports grounds.
The first match was played on the February 22 while the second one was played on the February 25, resulting in both defeats.
Mehalalitoe have embarked on a journey of rejuvenation, a commitment to injecting young talent into the squad which has seen a significant shift in the team’s composition, focusing on developing future stars.
This strategy was put to test by coach Lehohla in these South African encounters, and team captain, Thato Mapepesane, who has called on her youthful teammates to fight for the national badge, and pride.
“Fight for the national badge you’re holding, and your name behind will follow you,” declared the captain in a post-match interview, encapsulating the team’s fighting spirit as they embark on the rebuilding process.
Despite the losses, Mapepesane expressed immense pride in her team’s performance. She emphasized the collective effort and the unwavering spirit displayed by all players throughout both matches. “We tried, but things didn’t go exactly as planned,” she admitted, referencing their post- first match determination to “bounce back stronger in the second game.”
However, the captain was quick to praise her squad’s resilience and unity. “They did so well, worked together, and fought together,” she stated, highlighting the team’s dedication. “That wasn’t the result we expected, but the team worked so hard. I am sure Basotho are proud of the Mehalalitoe team.”
The captain’s perspective highlighted the lager objectives. “Experience is the best teacher,” Mapepesane added, emphasizing the development aspect of the matches.
“We are young and building the Mehalalitoe of the future. There are other stars like Boitumelo Rabale who are coming up from this team. They are going to make Basotho proud, one step at the time,” the captain said.
She stated: “All players, including myself, worked together to get to where we are. If it wasn’t for working together, we wouldn’t be here fighting for the pride of nation.”
This focus on the future growth and the nurturing of young talent underscored the long-term strategy of the team’s coaching staff, with Mapepesane highlighting the player’s tireless efforts and their commitment to the team.
Coach Lehohla echoed his captain’s sentiments, appreciating his charges’ approach to the games. He highlighted the strategic use of the friendly matches, stating that he used the friendlies to evaluate different players in the squad and provide an opportunity for each to showcase their talent.
“We changed our starting eleven in the two games to assess our players,” Lehohla said, highlighting his focus on evaluating potential and integrating young players into the team dynamic.
Lehohla said this is part of his larger plan to provide opportunities to a wider pool of players, allowing them to gain valuable international experience and fostering the development of a strong team for the future.
They played two friendly matches with Banyana Banyana, last weekend and recently on the 25th of February with the results 1-0 for the first match and 2-0 for the second match, both defeated. The results weren’t what Lesotho hoped for, the experience proved invaluable for the team’s younger players. These matches served as a crucial step in their development and a valuable learning opportunity in facing a higher ranked team.
Banyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis, speaking following the second match commended the Lesotho team’s fighting spirit and acknowledged the physical demands of the games. She expressed admiration for Mehalalitoe’s performance, particularly noting the player’s endurance and dedication.
“It was a tough game for my players who played 90 minutes, but they showed a lot of character, and they did good,” the Banyana Banyana head coach commented, indicating too that “we are looking forward to new season and new players.”
The matches against Banyana Banyana underscored Mehalalitoe’s long-term strategy of developing a strong foundation for the future.
While the results may not have reflected their ambitions, the experience served as an important step in the evolution of the team.
As Mapepesane so aptly stated: “Experience is the best teacher.” The future of Mehalalitoe looks bright, built on the dedication, hard work and the unity of a team forging its identity, one match at a time.”
