Mothoana recalled to Likuena squad

Bokang 'Lefty' Mothoana (right) is back in the Likuena fold...

Kick4Life midfielder Bokang ‘Lefty’ Mothoana has been recalled to the Lesotho national squad by Likuena coach Moses Maliehe after a year’s absence.

Likuena have been training three days a week as they prepare for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers which begin in April and Mothoana has been rewarded for his fine form for the Vodacom Premier League title-chasers.

Maliehe said Mothoana, who spent six years with Union Sportive Monastirienne in Tunisia before returning home in 2013, had been left out from his original squad selected last December due to a niggling injury which has since healed.

“He has been doing well for his club hence the call-up. There was no reason not to give him a chance,” Maliehe said.

The Likuena coach has also recalled Mothoana’s club-mate Thapelo Tale. Tale joined Kick4Life last month after leaving Lioli and has been on fire scoring four goals in two appearances. Also back in the Likuena fold are Bantu captain Thapelo Mokhehle and Sundawana defender Motlomelo Mkhwanazi.

Maliehe said the quartet has replaced Sundawana defender Johannes Molapo, Kick4Life striker Motlalepula Chabeli, Sky Battalion’s Keketso Snyders and LDF midfielder Koete Mohloai.

However, Maliehe stressed he has not shut the door on any players and further changes could still be made to his Likuena squad.

Bantu captain Thapelo Mokhehle has also been recalled...

“The players we have at the moment are not the final squad. We will still be on the lookout for those who are playing well at their respective clubs and give them a chance until June this year,” Maliehe said.

Maliehe also explained that the current rainy conditions in Maseru have forced the squad to conduct all of their training sessions indoors at Lehakoe Gym. The team has been under-going physical conditioning at the gym with sessions at Setsoto Stadium not possible at the moment.

As part of their preparations Likuena have also made use of Bloemfontein’s High Performance Centre.

Likuena also played practice matches against South African premier league sides Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars. Maliehe’s charges drew 1-1 with Celtic and lost 5-1 to Stars. 

In addition to its CHAN assignments, Lesotho starts its 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June where Likuena have been drawn against Uganda, Cape Verde and Tanzania in Group L.