Majoro names Lesotho squad for COSAFA Under-20

Lesotho and South Africa will meet again in December's COSAFA Under-20 Champs

Lesotho Under-20 coach Motlalepula Majoro has named his squad for next month’s COSAFA Under-20 Championships in South Africa.

The tournament will be staged in South Africa’s North West province from December 7 to 16.

Majoro has included five players born in or after 2000 and another three players who are 17 years old.

He has also selected 13-year-old Relebohile Thulo who will be amongst the youngest players in the competition having been born on December 29, 2002.

Many of the players in Majoro's final squad featured for the Makoanyane XI in the 2017 African Youth Championship qualifiers earlier this year where they defeated Mozambique 2-1 on aggregate, before losing 5-0 to South Africa in the final round to miss out on the finals in Zambia.

Lesotho was the host of the last COSAFA Under-20 Championships in 2013, but continued a disappointing run in the competition when it exited in the first round.

The Makoanyane XI have not reached the semifinals since 2005, but have generally always run close to the knockout stages and will feel they have a good chance this year.

Their Group A contains hosts South Africa, Swaziland and Botswana.

Lesotho has made the final of the COSAFA Under-20 Championships before, in 2005, when it lost 1-0 to Madagascar, the closest it has come to claiming the prestigious junior crown.

Lesotho was also runners-up in the 1990 tournament that was played in a round-robin group phase

Staying with football and there was a Vodacom Premier League match played on Wednesday between Liphakoe and LMPS at Ratjomose.

The catch-up match was won 1-0 by LMPS who jumped all the way up into fourth place, above LCS. LMPS have 19 points from their 11 games, ahead of LCS on goal difference.

Liphakoe, meanwhile, remained 11th with 11 points from 11 games.

Finally, in the National Basketball League, Bashana Baheso beat Lichocha Shooting Rifles 59-47 in a high-profile clash on Wednesday evening to move to the top of the NBL standings.

Lesotho’s COSAFA Under-20 Championships fixtures

07/12/2016 South Africa v Lesotho (19:30, Moruleng)

09/12/2016 Lesotho v Botswana (11:00, Moruleng)

12/12/2016 Lesotho v Swaziland (17:00, Mogwase)

Lesotho Under-20 squad:

Goalkeepers: Jessy Matsie, Monaheng Ramalefane

Defenders: Katleho Mochobi, Thabo Mphosi, Rethabile Mokokoane, Mohai Mohai, Itumeleng Leche, Moalosi Mosoeu

Midfielders: Relebohile Thulo, Relebohile Mabone, Lehlohonolo Fothoane, James Mothotjela, Tšepo Nqetho, Nkopane Mokitimi

Strikers: Thabang Malane, Thaane Mokoena, Tšeliso Botsane, Bonang Mohapi, Rasetabele Kalosane, Leluma Posholi