Africa-Press – Lesotho. China-based Thabiso Brown is adamant his experience will prove handy for Likuena as they take on Nigeria and Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Leslie Notši-coached side take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Uyo on Thursday evening in the opening match of the World Cup qualifiers and will be followed by a home tie against Benin on November 21st at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
For the two matches, Notši has recalled the 28-year-old forward who recently moved to the Chinese League one year after playing in South America. Brown and defender, Bokang Sello, who now plays his football in Botswana are the two players who make a return to the Likuena set-up after a long absence.
The rest of the squad is made up of players that reached the final of the COSAFA Cup earlier this year, where Lesotho had to settle for silver after losing 1-0 to Zambia.
Brown featured in 25 games in all competitions in his first season with Dondong Tengyue in the Chinese League and managed to find the back of the net seven times.
“First of all, I’m excited and humbled to have been given this opportunity to return to the national team set-up,” Brown said.
“It’s a chance to show what I have learnt in different countries that I have played in and I’m bringing my A game to Likuena.
Brown understands he must be on top of his game if he is to be trusted to lead the Likuena attacking line that already boasts experienced campaigners such as Motebang Sera, Jane Thabantšo and Katleho Makateng.
“I will do my best and hope God does the rest. Playing in China has taught me a lot and I have learnt a lot also,” he said.
“I’m bringing everything that I have learnt in China to the team and I’m confident it can help us succeed in our upcoming two matches against Nigeria and Benin.
“It’s a good feeling to be back at home and reunite with the rest of the players with the ambition to help our country compete against the best teams in our continent,” he said.
Brown admitted that they have a mammoth task against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who are a continental powerhouse, but believes Likuena have grown in leaps and bounds as proved against the likes of Ivory Coast in recent matches.
“We are in a very tough group with the likes of Nigeria, Benin, South Africa and Zimbabwe, but we have proved in recent years that we have what it takes to challenge some of the best teams in the continent,” he said.
“I have no doubt that we can give any team a run for their money in the field of play as we speak because we also have players playing in different leagues across the continent.”
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