Lesotho to face Botswana on March 24

Jane Tšotleho (left) of Phnom Penh Crown in Cambodia is one of
four foreign based players in the Likuena squad...

Lesotho coach Moses Maliehe has named four foreign based players in a revamped 20-man squad for a friendly international against Botswana on March 24.

The match will be played in Gaborone.

The foreign call-ups are headlined by midfielder Tšepo Matete of Botswana champions Township Rollers and striker Tšoanelo Bereng of South African Premier League side Chippa United who have been included in the Likuena squad for the first time after talks with the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA).

The two are joined by winger Luciano Matsoso who plays for Oskar Przysucha in Poland and playmaker Jane Tšotleho of Phnom Penh Crown in Cambodia.

The game against Botswana will be Likuena’s first international of the year.

Lioli’s Tšoanelo Koetle is the squad’s most high-profile absentee from Maliehe’s squad with the midfielder left out after a recent dip in form and a doping case cloud hanging over his head. There is also no place for in-form Liphakoe striker Setho Moshoeshoe who has nine league goals this season.

However, Kick4Life striker Nkoto Masoabi is rewarded for his fine form – five league goals in 2018 – with a recall to the national team for the first time in almost two years.

The squad also sees the return of two of Likuena’s most influential players of the past decade in LMPS defender Nkau Lerotholi and combative midfielder Ralekoti Mokhahlane who has revived his career since joining Kick4Life at the start of the season.

Both stalwarts are back in the squad for the first time since 2015. Meanwhile, former Likuena Basia Makepe captain returns for the first time since 2016 as Maliehe has opted to go for a squad filled with international experience.

Lesotho v Botswana recent head-to-head
21/05/2016	Friendly	Botswana	2-1	Lesotho
04/07/2015	2016 CHAN qualifier	Botswana	1-1	Lesotho
21/06/2015	2016 CHAN qualifier	Lesotho	0-0	Botswana
25/03/2015	Friendly	Botswana	2-0	Lesotho
14/07/2014	Friendly	Botswana	2-0	Lesotho
09/07/2013	COSAFA Cup 2013	Lesotho	3-3	Botswana
23/05/2012	Friendly	Botswana	3-0	Lesotho
21/12/2011	Friendly	Botswana	3-0	Lesotho
01/04/2009	Friendly	Lesotho	0-0	Botswana
16/11/2003	2006 World Cup qualifier	Lesotho	0-0	Botswana
11/10/2003	2006 World Cup qualifier	Botswana	4-1	Lesotho

The squad also includes Luciano Matsoso of Oskar Przysucha

Likuena Squad to face Botswana:

Goalkeepers: Sam Ketsekile (LCS) and Pule Akhente (LMPS)

Defenders: Thapelo Mokhehle (Bantu), Nkau Lerotholi (LMPS), Basia Makepe (LMPS), Mafa Moremoholo (Lioli), Kopano Tseka (Lioli)

Midfielders: Bokang Mothoana (Kick4Life), Jane Thaba-Ntšo (Matlama), Luciano Matsoso (Oskar Przysucha, Poland), Litšepe Marabe (Bantu), Tšepo Matete (Township Rollers, Botswana), Hlompho Kalake (Bantu), Tšepo Toloane (LDF), Ralekoti Mokhahlane (Kick4Life), Jane Tšotleho (Phnom Penh Crown, Cambodia), Tumelo Khutlang (Lioli)

Striker: Motebang Sera (Matlama), Nkoto Masoabi (Kick4Life), Tšoarelo Bereng (Chippa United, South Africa)

Botswana Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kabelo Dame (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa), Keoagile Kgosipula (Township Rollers), Bophelo Kealeboga (Miscellaneous)

Defenders: Sisimane Mathumo (Township Rollers), Thabang Mosigi (Orapa United), Lesenya Ramoraka (Orapa United), Tshepo Maikano (Gaborone United), Alphonso Modisaotsile (Gaborone United), Tebogo Sososme (Galaxy United), Thero Setsile (Galaxy United), Tapiwa Gadibolaye (Police)

Midfielders: Segolame Boy (Township Rollers), Motsholetsi Sikele (Township Rollers), Mpho Kgaswane (Baroka FC, SA), Kobamelo Kebaikanye (Orapa United), Moshe Gaolaolwe (Townhsip Rollers), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Gaborone United), Gift Moyo (Orapa United), Mogakolodi Ngele (SuperSport United, SA), Onkabetse Makgantai (Orapa United), Lesego Galenamotlhale (Orapa United)

Strikers: Jerome Ramatlakwane (Orapa United), Tumisang Orebonye (Gaborone United), Omaatla Kebatho (Orapa United), Lemponye Tshireletso (Township Rollers)