35-man Lesotho rugby squad announced

A new Likoatola squad has been announced...

Lesotho national rugby coach Roy Nyasha-Zhou and his assistant Moleleki Moleleki have called up a total of 35 players to begin preparations for the Rugby Africa 1D South tournament in October where Lesotho will host Swaziland and Malawi.

The squad has already begun training sessions and Nyasha-Zhou said Likoatola have been invited to participate in a three-day Easter rugby festival to be held in Welkom, South Africa.

The selection sees several changes and additions.

Nyasha-Zhou said some of the changes had been brought about by the unavailability of players who are out of the country because of school and work commitments. The squad also includes players from Giants Rugby who returned to the fold in January after they had been banned last February by the Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR).

FLR general secretary Litšitso Motšeremeli expressed satisfaction at the fact the majority of local clubs were represented in Nyasha-Zhou’s squad. He said it is a sign of the increasing depth of the Lesotho Rugby Championship as Lesotho looks to make more progress up Rugby Africa’s ladder via the Africa Cup.

The yearly Africa Cup is split into four divisions – Division 1A, Division 1B, Division 1C and Division 2 – with promotion and relegation between the divisions. It is contested by all Rugby Africa member nations expect for South Africa.

This year the Division 1A competition will be contested by continental giants Kenya, Namibia and Uganda as well as recently promoted Senegal.

Lesotho’s 1D league, meanwhile, is divided into four zones: South, West 1, West 2 and Centre. Should Likoatola clinch promotion to the Rugby Africa 1C division, it will mark another impressive achievement by the FLR since it was formed in 2012.

“If we win promotion we will now be going to play against the likes of Nigeria,” Motšeremeli said.

Likoatola squad:

Samuel Takama, Motheo Mokhothu, Reatile Joele, Lebohang Ntšinyi, Ntsane Mahlatsi, Metsing Mahloane, Rethabile Sekola, Relebohile Lethale, Motlatsi Moabi, Ramalebo Makoa, Molumo Rethabile, Kalinyane Makhetha, Tlali Nkuka, Fetang Selialia, Lit’sitso Mot’seremeli, Karabo Mphaki, Karabo Mphaki, Nomandla Tšepo, Tinashe Mugayi, Makeka Mosala, Makhaola Koatsa, Mokone Chabana, Bokang Seliane, Realeboha Segoete, Moleleki, Roy Nyasha Zhou, Bongi Machesetsa, Alex Ncheke, Lejakane Tumelo, Morapeli Motaung, Thabiso Letsie, Mathealira Selomo, Liteboho Mahase, Lehlohonolo Thejane, Rethabile Molumo