Maliehe names squad for Cape Verde clash 

By Nthethe Maphaong

Likuena players 

Lesotho senior national team (Likuena) coach Moses Maliehe has named his final squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) crucial qualifier against Cape Verde. Likuena will contest their last Group L tie away from home on March 23.

This is the last match of the 2019 Afcon qualifiers and a must win game for both Likuena and the Blue Sharks (as the Cape Verde team is nicknamed).

Likuena are currently occupying second position with five points after a single victory, two draws and two losses. They are behind Uganda who already qualified for the tournament after they collected 13 points from five matches, in which they won four and drew once.  This is while Likuena have equal points (five) with Tanzania who are sitting on third position. The latter however conceded two goals less than Likuena who conceded seven in total. But because of the two teams 2019 Afcon head-to-head, Likuena find themselves sitting above Tanzania.

This is after Likuena beat Tanzania 1-0 home in the first leg of the qualifiers in November last year. Likuena and Tanzania are both trailed by Cape Verde with just one point on fourth position. Tanzania will be playing Uganda at the same day when Cape Verde host Likuena.

All of the three teams, Likuena, Tanzania and Cape Verde have chances of joining Uganda each to the Afcon Tournament to be held in Egypt from June 21-July 19. It will depend on which team wins come March 23.

Likuena were held to a 1-1 draw home by Cape Verde in the two teams’ first leg qualifying match at Setsoto Stadium in September last year. 

“This upcoming game (against Cape Verde) is going to be tough for us because all the three teams have equal chances to qualify,” said Maliehe.

“The only option we have is to win as draw or loss will mean that we are out of the competition.” Maliehe further said: “If we win the Cape Verde match, we will have eight points and this will mean we are likely to qualify.” Maliehe said the team spirit is currently high at Likuena’s camp even though his team is likely not to play any friendly game ahead of the crucial Cape Verde match.

“It is hard to find friendly games at moment as most of the countries are busy preparing for the same Afcon qualifiers (and they don’t want to play against their opponents).

“But the spirit is high at our camp with every one of our players looking forward to the upcoming Cape Verde match,” Maliehe said.  

Likuena squad

Goalkeepers: Sam Ketsekile (LCS), Tankiso Chaba (Liphakoe), Monaheng Ramalefane (Matlama).

Defenders: Nkau Lerotholi (LMPS), Basia Makepe (LMPS), Mafa Moremoholo (Lioli), Lesia Thetsane (Colombia College- USA), Thabo Sefuli (Real Kings- South Africa).

Midfielders: Sepiriti Malefane (LCS), Setho Moshoeshoe (LCS), Tsoarelo Bereng (Black Leopards), Luciano Matsoso (Black Leopards) Tumelo Khutlang (Black Leopards) Kefuoe Mahula (Matlama), Jane Thaba-Nt’so (Matlama), Hlompho Kalake (Bantu), Jane T’sotleho (Louisville City- USA).

Strikers: Raboama Koloti (LMPS), Nkoto Masoabi (Real Kings- South Africa), Motebang Sera (Matlama) Thapelo Tale (LCS), Rethabile Selonyane (Linare).