Maseru Select aiming for top four finish in Free State Rugby League

Maseru Select are aiming for a top four finish in this year’s Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League.

The Lesotho all-star side kick off their season away to Ficksburg Rugby Club on Saturday and are hoping to build on a promising 2017 campaign. To prepare, the side has been training every Tuesday and Thursday.

The Griffons League is a 10-team championship which is contested by clubs from South Africa’s Free State province and Maseru Select. The competition will get underway this weekend and run until June.

Maseru Select, who will play their home games in Ladybrand, is made up of players from teams in the top-flight National Rugby Championships, namely: Maseru Warriors, Mabote Beavers, National University of Lesotho Spears, LDF Liqhomane and Giants Rugby.

In the build-up to their Griffons League campaign, coaches Roy Nyasha-Zhou and Moleleki Moleleki selected a 40-man squad for the competition’s duration although only 22 players will attend games on match-day.

The technical team has set a criterion that will be used to select players for each game. Its four points are: practice attendance, performance, discipline, commitment.

Maseru Select’s opener in Ficksburg is part of a three-game away run to start the season with the side’s first home game only coming on April 21 against Skoliere.

Even so, Federation of Lesotho Rugby secretary general Litšitso Motšeremeli said the team is up for the challenge.

“We don’t know much about (Ficksburg) but they are a South African team so we are expecting a very tough match. But our preparations are very good; all expected players are attending practices. Our team is ready,” he said.

The Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League outing will also serve to help Lesotho’s preparations for the Rugby Africa Bronze Cup scheduled for May 9 to 12 in Ghana.

With Lesotho looking to continue its steady progress up Africa’s rugby ladder, Motšeremeli said Maseru Select have set themselves a lofty bar for the Griffons League: “We are aiming to at least be in the top four.”

Maseru Select’s Fixtures:

Date	Opponent	Venue
17/03/18	Ficksburg	Away
24/03/18	Ladybrand	Away
07/04/18	Qwa-Qwa Leopards	Away
21/04/18	Skoliere	Home
05/05/18	Collegiance	Away
12/05/18	Ficksburg	Home
19/05/18	Ladybrand	Home
09/06/18	Qwa-Qwa Leopards	Home
16/06/18	Skoliere	Away
31/06/18	Collegiance	Home

Squad:

Samuel Takama, Lapi Matsoso, Tlali Nkuka, Chabana Mokone, Khooa Lefa, Motheo Mokhothu, Metsing Mahloane, Thabiso Molise, Linakane Kellelo, Paul Marie, Mofundisi Bokang, Mokhele Sechaba, Molumo Rethabile, Tšepo Nomandla, Tinashe Mugayi, Lebohang Ntsinyi, Moabi Motlatsi, Karabo Mphaki, Thabiso Letsie, Letlatsa Letompa, Retsilisitsoe Thantsi, Ncheke Bokang, Mohasi Lehlohonolo, Mahase Liteboho, Tikoe Phupu, Mosoeu Semethe, Tumo Ramoepana, Bokang Seliane, Mochai Kamohelo, Kubutu Makhakhe, Ntsang Mater, Lebatla Lebatla, Molefi Qejoane, Ntsane Mahlatsi, Kalipa, Selebalo, Thabiso Makuta, Abdul, Bonki Mochesane, Mosala Makeka