Maliehe names first Likuena squad

Bantu star Litšepe Marabe (right) has made the cut 

Lesotho caretaker boss Moses Maliehe has named his first Likuena squad. Maliehe took over the national team earlier this month after the sacking of Seephepehe Matete who was also on the job in an interim capacity.

Maliehe has made wholesale changes to the last Lesotho squad and, from the looks of his 25-man squad, the former Under-20 coach is looking to build for the future.

Maliehe has only retained seven players from Matete’s squad which lost to Zimbabwe in last month’s 2016 African Nations Championship qualifier. They are the Lioli trio of Basia Makepe, Jeremia Kamela, Tšoanelo Koetle, Bantu’s duo of Litšepe Marabe, Hlompho Kalake and Jane Thabantšo of Matlama, and LMPS’s Tšepo Seturumane.

Experienced players such as Mohau Kuenane, Moitheri Ntobo, Thapelo Mokhehle, Bokang Mothoana, Bushy Moletsane, Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Lekhanya Lekhanya, Thapelo Tale and Nkau Lerotholi have all been left out by Maliehe.

The squad is largely made of players who have been in the national Under-20 set-up over the past four years, such as Liphakoe’s in-form midfielder Mohau Rammoneng and Lioli’s Mafa Moremoholo who gets his first senior call-up.

Maliehe’s squad sees the recall of Vodacom Premier League top scorer Lehlomela Ramabele of Likhopo after a two-year absence.

Despite going for youth for his first squad, Maliehe said he is not ruling any players out.

“This is a great chance for the new faces to show what they can do, but the door is still open for any player who does well for his club,” Maliehe told the Lesotho Times newspaper.

Lesotho next competitive match is March. Likuena plays back-to-back 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Seychelles. The 25-man squad will convene for two training camps in December to prepare.

Lesotho squad

Goalkeepers: Daniel Jousse (LCS), Liteboho Mokhehle (Lioli)

Defenders: Basia Makepe (Lioli), Mafa Moremoholo (Lioli), Kopano Tseka (Lioli), Bokang Sello (Lioli), John Mohai (Matlama), Nkesi Rankhasa (Matlama) Mkwanazi Mkwanazi (Sandawana)

Midfielders: Tšepo Seturumane (LMPS), Mohau Rammoneng (Liphakoe), Montoeli Sonopo, Tšoanelo Koetle, Tumelo Khutlang, Jeremia Kamela (Lioli), Thabo Seakhoa (LCS). Kefuoe Mahula (Matlama), Jane Thabantšo (Matlama), Tšepang Maine (Matlama) , Hlompho Kalake (Bantu), Litšepe Marabe (Bantu)

Strikers: Lehlomela Ramabele (Likhopo), Thabiso Brown (Kick4Life), Motlalepula Chabeli (Kick4Life)