Lesotho to face Liberia

Likuena striker Lehlomela Ramabele

Lesotho has been paired with Liberia’s Lone Stars in the second round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

Likuena will face Liberia in Monrovia on Sunday May 18 before a reverse fixture in Maseru a fortnight later.

The winner of the tie will proceed to a tie against either Comoros or Kenya in the third knockout phase scheduled for July 18-20 and August 1-3.

The reward for the last country standing will be a place in Group C alongside Burkina Faso, Angola and Gabon in the final phase of the qualifiers.

“Facing Liberia is not going to be easy; they have very good players playing in Europe and South Africa, but I believe we can win against them,” interim Likuena coach  Seephephe ‘Mochini’ Matete said. “However, for this to happen, we need to have very thorough preparations because this is a very good side we are going to be meeting.”

16 teams will make it to the 2015 Afcon finals set for January 17 to February 8 in Morocco. The winners and runners-up from the seven groups, along with the best third-placed team and hosts Morocco will make-up the 16 finalists for the showpiece to be held in Rabat, Marrakesh, Agadir and Tangier with Casablanca serving as an alternative venue.

Lesotho squad

Goalkeepers: Likano Mphuthi, Kananelo Makhooane, Mohau Kuenane

Defenders: Sepiriti Malefane, Nkau Lerotholi, Thabo Masualle, Basia Makepe, Tlali Maile, Bokang Mothoana

Midfielders: Mabuti Potloane, Tšoanelo Koetle, Lekhanya Lekhanya, Motlalepula Mofolo, Makara Ntaitsane, Tšepo Seturumane, Bushy Moletsane, Phafa Tšosane, Khoto Sesinyi

Strikers: Thapelo Tale, Tšepo Lekhooana

Full 2015 AFCON qualifying draw

Group A: Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa - plus winners of: Namibia v Congo Brazzaville/Libya v Rwanda

Group B: Mali, Ethiopia, Algeria - plus winners of: Sao Tome & Principe v Benin/Malawi v Chad

Group C: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Angola - plus winners of: Liberia v Lesotho/Kenya v Comoros Islands

Group D: Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon - plus winners of: Swaziland v Sierra Leone/Gambia v Seychelles

Group E: Ghana, Guinea, Togo - plus winners of: Madagascar v Uganda/Mauritania v Equatorial Guinea

Group F: Zambia, Niger, Cape Verde Islands - plus winners of: Tanzania v Zimbabwe/Mozambique v South Sudan

Group G: Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt - plus winners of: Burundi v Botswana/ Central African Republic v Guinea Bissau