Lesotho goes for tried and tested for Swaziland Women’s AFCON clash

Mehalalitoe begin their 2018 Women's AFCON journey against Swaziland

Lesotho national women’s team coach Monaheng Montšo has gone with his tried and tested combinations for this evening’s 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AFCON) first leg qualifier against Swaziland at Setsoto Stadium.

The match will kick off at 18:00 and entrance will be free. The second leg of the first round tie will take place next Tuesday.

Montšo has chosen his strongest possible starting line-up from Lesotho’s original training squad of 30 players although he has decided to leave out United States based striker Senate Letsie.

Letsie only joined the team’s camp earlier this week and will start the game from the bench meaning Kick4Life striker Litšeoane Maloro will spearhead Mehalalitoe’s attack.

Lesotho will once again be led by Bloemfontein Celtic captain and Mehalalitoe lynchpin, Boitumelo Rabale. Alongside Rabale in midfield is Ntšabeng Pelea of Lesotho champions LDF Ladies. Pelea was named 2017 player of the season at the Women’s Super League awards last month and her 11 goals were crucial to LDF Ladies’ title win.

Pelea’s club-mate Thuto Maifo, the Women’s Super League goalkeeper of the season, will start in goals for Lesotho.

As part of their preparations for the Swaziland tie, Mehalalitoe travelled to South Africa play friendly games against SA Sasol Women’s League champions Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies two weeks ago.

Although Lesotho lost both matches, Montšo said there were positives to take from the outings.

“The team learned a lot from the games, this is the first time many of players are playing in the national team,” he said.

If Mehalalitoe advance past Swaziland they will take on South Africa in the next round.

The 2018 Women’s AFCON will be the 13th edition of the biennial championship and will be hosted by Ghana from November 17 to December 1.

The tournament will also double as Africa’s qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France with the top three teams earning tickets to represent the continent.

Mehalalitoe squad to face Swaziland:

Starting line-up:

1. Thuto Maifo

2. Tšoanelo Leboka

3. Mating Monokoane

4. Ntšabeng Pelea

5. Phuzile Molefe

6. Boitumelo Rabale

7. Mosili Motšoeneng

8. Litšeoane Maloro

9. Lerato Kheme

10. Mosele Pita

11. Mosilinyane Lefaphane

Substitutes:

12. Palesa Mpeta

13. 'Mafusi Phesolo

14. Macheche Matlamela

15. Lerato Sello

16. Relebohile Akhente

17. 'Mamoroesi Likotsi

18. Senate Letsie

Head coach:

Monaheng Montšo

Assistant coach:

Elizabeth Yelima

Goalkeeper coach:

Lekunutu Tšoeunyane