Lesotho dropped 10 places to 115th in the
latest Fifa World Rankings released last Thursday. The drop comes after Lesotho
had reached its highest ever rating of 105 in last month’s rankings.
Likuena had the opportunity to break
into the world’s top 100 for the first time ever but suffered the
disappointment of a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso and a late equaliser at home to
Gabon in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers played this month.
The results mean Lesotho lies third in a
tough Group C after two games.
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| I wiiill, muust pass... You caan't hold me back! Mission Likuena to Morocco |
Likuena now face a critical back-to-back
against Angola in October and national coach Seephephe ‘Mochini’ Matete has
added three players to his squad.
Bantu goalkeepers Kholuoe Phasumane and
Liteboho Mokhesi have been drafted in as cover for first-choice stopper Mohau
Kuenane who is suspended for the first of the double-header against Angola.
Promising Kick4Life striker Thabiso
Brown has also been called up to augment the attack. The 19 year-old was
prolific for the national Under-20 side during its 2015 African Youth
Championship qualifiers earlier in the year and he will compete with Thapelo
Tale, Tšepo Lekhooana and Tšepo Seturumane for a starting berth.
Announcing his squad, Matete remained
confident of Lesotho’s chances of making it to the continental showpiece to be
held in Morocco in January. The two top from each of the seven groups qualify
for the finals, along with the best third place-team.
“What I can tell you is that we have a
very strong group of players and we have the same dream of playing in the
Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year,” said Matete.
Likuena’s
results in September
06/09/2014 Burkina Faso 2-0 Lesotho (Ouagadougou)
10/09/2014 Lesotho 1-1 Gabon (Maseru)
Upcoming
fixtures
10/10/2014 Lesotho v Angola (Maseru)
15/10/2014 Angola v Lesotho (Luanda)
14/11/2014 Lesotho v Burkina Faso
(Maseru)
19/11/2014 Gabon v Lesotho (Venue to be
confirmed)
Likuena
squad v Angola
Goalkeepers: Mohau
Kuenane, Kananelo Makhooane, Kholuoe Phasumane, Liteboho Mokhesi
Defenders: Moitheri
Ntobo (captain), Thabo Masualle, Jerry Kamele, Basia Makepe, Nkau Lerotholi,
Tšoanelo Koetle, Sepiriti Malefane, Thapelo Mokhehle
Midfielders: Bushy
Moletsane, Motlalepula Mofolo, Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Makara Ntaitsane, Jane
Tšotleho, Mabuti Potloane, Phafa Tšosane, Lekhanya Lekhanya
Strikers: Thapelo
Tale, Tšepo Lekhooana, Tšepo Seturumane, Thabiso Brown
2015
Afcon qualifying Group C
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
D
|
Pts
|
||
1
|
Burkina Faso
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
+5
|
6
|
2
|
Gabon
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
+1
|
4
|
3
|
Lesotho
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
-2
|
1
|
4
|
Angola
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
-4
|
0
|
