Africa-Press – Lesotho. Likuena head coach Veselin Jelusic says he is expecting a tough game against Comoros on Saturday in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match will be played at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, because of Setsoto Stadium’s continuing ban by Africa’s governing body, CAF.
Likuena go into the game bottom of the Group H with one point from four games and are out of the running to qualify for next year’s finals in Ivory Coast.
Comoros are third with three points, Zambia are in second place with nine points and Ivory Coast are on top with 10 points. Unlike Lesotho, Comoros still has an outside chance to qualify although that depends on what happens between Zambia and Ivory Coast.
The island nation needs to win and hope Zambia lose. In the final round of group games in September, Comoros will be up against Zambia while Likuena will make a trip to Ivory Coast.
Speaking to the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) media team, Jelusic said Likuena are preparing for the game with the intention of playing a good game and getting a good result.
“We know that the game will be very tough because Comoros still have a chance to qualify for the next AFCON, depending on the result of the game between Zambia and Ivory Coast,” he said.
“In addition, all their players come from European clubs with a high level of quality and competitive experience. But we will fight to the end for the prestige of Lesotho football,” the Serbian mentor added.
Jelusic has named the team for Saturday’s game and there are players that will be involved in the AFCON qualifiers for the first time. Leluma Posholi, ‘Mellere Lebetsa, Koenehelo Mothala as well as Ngaka Lenka are among the new faces in the Likuena setup.
21-year-old goalkeeper Mosoeu Seahlolo, who is a product of the LEFA School of Excellence has also been called up and Mohlomi Makhetha, a young defender from Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS), has also made the trip to Johannesburg.
“We know that the game will be very tough because Comoros still have a chance to qualify for the next AFCON, depending on the result of the game between Zambia and Ivory Coast,” he said.
Lesotho played Togo in a friendly match yesterday at Wits Sturrock Park to prepare. Togo themselves will play Eswatini in the qualifiers at Mbombela stadium on Sunday.
Making a return to Likuena’s squad is Tumelo Makha. The gifted winger is a shock inclusion given he was missing in action for a quite number of games for Lioli last season.
When asked about Makha’s absence last season, coach Motebang Makhetha said the player had gone back to South Africa but Makha is listed as a Lioli player in the Likuena’s squad announcement.
Makha did not only miss the end of the season, he also missed Likuena’s friendly match against Eswatini last week. How ready he is in terms of match fitness is unknown.
Straight after this weekend’s qualifier, Likuena will turn their attention to the COSAFA Cup which takes place in Durban next month. Likuena squad: Goalkeepers:
Sekhoane Moerane, Mosoeu Seahlolo Defenders: Mohlomi Makhetha,Kopano Tseka, Basia Makepe, ‘Mellere Lebetsa, Rethabile Mokokoane, Rethabile Senkoto, Lehlohonolo Lenka, Rethabile Rasethuntša, Thabang Malane
Midfielders: Ngaka Lenka, Koenehelo Mothala, Tshwarelo Bereng, Leluma Posholi, Tšepang Sefali, Tšepo Toloane, Neo Mokhachane, Thabo Mafatle, Tumelo Makha, Jane Thabantšo Forwards: Motebang Sera, Katleho Makateng, Retšelisitsoe Mopeli
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