A crucial four days for Lesotho on the road to AFCON 2019

It's a big few days for Tumelo Khutlang and his Likuena teammates...

Lesotho faces a pivotal 2019 Africa Cup of Nations double header against Uganda over the coming days.

The first game is on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Kampala with the return fixture next Tuesday at Setsoto Stadium.

Uganda with 4 points and Lesotho (2 points) are the top two sides in Group L of AFCON 2019 qualifying after two games.

Likuena began their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Tanzania in last June before another 1-1 stalemate with Cape Verde at Setsoto two weeks ago.

The other two teams in the group, Cape Verde and Tanzania, will also faceoff in a double header with Tanzania travelling away first.

Likuena sitting in a good position…

Group L standings:

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	Uganda	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	4
2	Lesotho	2	0	2	0	2	2	0	2
3	Tanzania	2	0	2	0	1	1	0	2
4	Cape Verde	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1

Likuena are in a good position in Group L, in fact, this is Lesotho’s best chance to qualify for the AFCON.

For the first time ever, the AFCON has been expanded to 24 teams from 16 which means two sides from each of the 12 qualifying groups will qualify for Cameroon 2019 (instead of one as was the case before).

Lesotho currently sits in those top two spots and so this is a crucial few days for Moses Maliehe’s side. Preferably, Likuena would like to record a win in one of the two games against Uganda after starting the campaign with two draws.

However, even two draws against Uganda may be enough given that the Cranes are the favourites in Group L.

Four points going into the last two group games would still give Likuena enough control of their own destiny.

Group L is so evenly matched that it is unlikely there will be a winner of both games in the group’s other double header between Tanzania and Cape Verde (it is unlikely either Tanzania or Cape Verde will come away with six points).

What is important for Likuena is they still find themselves in a position to qualify for next year’s AFCON finals when the final two qualifiers come around, against Tanzania in November and Cape Verde next March.

Football changes very fast.

Right now the seas are calm and the road seems far with four group matches to go. However, by this time next week Lesotho will only have two games to play in the group. It is important things don’t get away from Likuena over the next two games against Uganda.

Which team will start?

Likuena Squad: Goalkeepers: Samuel Khetsekile (LCS), Likano Mphuthi (LDF), Mohau Kuenane (free agent) Defenders: Kopano Tseka (Lioli), Mafa Moremoholo (Lioli), Nkau Lerotholi (LMPS), Basia Makepe (LMPS) Midfielders: Tšepo Toloane (LDF), Tshwarelo Bereng (Black Leopards, SA), Tšotleho Jane (free agent), Hlompho Kalake (Bantu), Mabuti Potloane (Matlama), Tumelo Khutlang (Black Leopards, SA), Jane Thaba-Ntšo (Matlama) Strikers: Masoabi Nkoto (Real Kings, SA), Motebang Sera (Matlama), Setho Moshoeshoe (LCS)

The only certainty for Saturday’s game in Namboole is Bantu defender Bokang Sello will miss out through suspension meaning Lesotho goes into the game without a natural leftback.

Maliehe was hit with an added blow because of the absence of Lesia Thetsane who is playing in United States college football for Columbia College and is unavailable due to academic commitments.

Thetsane was Lesotho’s first choice leftback during the team’s run to third place at the COSAFA Cup in July but also missed last month’s draw with Cape Verde.

It leaves Maliehe with two options; one, Kopano Tseka could come into the defence at rightback with captain Mafa Moremoholo shifting to leftback or, two, Jane Thaba-Ntšo (normally a winger) will fill in on the left side of defence.

Shifting Moremoholo to leftback is not a big problem in itself because he has featured there numerous times in the past for Likuena and at club level for Lioli.

The other two parts of the equation are slightly more worrisome, however. Tseka has yet to hit peak form this season because niggling injuries and is not a natural fullback. Centreback is very much Tseka’s preferred position.

Thaba-Ntšo, similarly, has limited experience of playing in defence and is an attacking player by nature. This wouldn’t be as much of a problem in a home tie but, away from home, Likuena’s chances will depend a lot on having defensive solidity in order to allow the side’s pacey forwards such as Tumelo Khutlang and Motebang Sera to steal chances on the break.

Kopano Tseka could be drafted into Likuena's defence...

Maliehe will also have to find a replacement for Luciano Matsoso after the winger suffered an injury during a midweek friendly against Free State Stars.

The rest of the team picks itself.

Likano Mphuthi will start in goals with LMPS teammates Basia Makepe and Nkau Lerotholi marshalling the defence. Tšepo Toloane and Tshwarelo Bereng will reprise their combination in midfield with Khutlang on one wing and Nkoto Masoabi likely leading the frontline from the start.

Expectations?

Uganda qualified for the last AFCON in 2017 in Gabon. The Cranes are top of Group L and remain favourites to win the group. A draw in Kampala, therefore, would be a good result for Likuena.

Firstly, it would keep Likuena’s hopes alive and it would also pile pressure on Uganda. Uganda are winless in four matches (with two losses and two draws) and failure to win in front of their home fans would keep the Cranes stuck in neutral. That would perfect for Likuena heading into Tuesday’s game.

Uganda’s last four games:
27-03-18	Uganda	0-0	Malawi	D
30-05-18	Central Africa Republic	1-0	Uganda	L
02-06-18	Niger	2-1	Uganda	L
08-09-18	Uganda	0-0	Tanzania	D

Previous meetings, Likuena v Uganda:
02 September 2006	Uganda 3-0 Lesotho	2008 AFCON qualifier
16 June 2007	Lesotho 0-0 Uganda	2008 AFCON qualifier

“We have been preparing for this match since the Cape Verde game,” Likuena coach Moses Maliehe said.

“The motivation for the game in Uganda will be that we always do well in away games and we have to maintain those standards.”

Lesotho’s AFCON 2019 qualifiers:
11 June 2017 09 September 2018 13 October 2018 16 October 2018 16 November 2018 22 March 2019	Tanzania 1-1 Lesotho Lesotho 1-1 Cape Verde Uganda v Lesotho Lesotho v Uganda Lesotho v Tanzania Cape Verde v Lesotho

Lesotho facing leftback crisis ahead of Uganda AFCON tie

Bokang Sello will miss Saturday's crucial AFCON 2019 qualifier against Uganda...

Lesotho coach Moses Maliehe is facing a crisis at leftback ahead of Saturday’s 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier away against Uganda.

First choice leftback Bokang Sello of Bantu will miss the game at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Kampala due to suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in Likuena’s opening two qualifiers.

To add to Maliehe’s woes: Lesia Thetsane, who is playing in United States college football for Columbia College, is also unavailable because of academic commitments.

Thetsane was Lesotho’s first choice at leftback during the team’s run to third place at the COSAFA Cup in July but also missed last month’s 1-1 AFCON 2019 qualifying draw with Cape Verde.

Maliehe admitted he has a conundrum on his hands.

“It’s a headache at the moment that Sello is not available for the game against Uganda because Thetsane will also not be available like was the case against Cape Verde,” Maliehe said.

Maliehe will likely shift captain Mafa Moremoholo from rightback to left side of defence with Kopano Tseka moving into the line-up at rightback.

“It’s a bit of a problem but we will surely find answers from the available players,” Maliehe said.

Lesotho’s 19-man squad will leave for Uganda on Thursday and will return on Sunday. Likuena faces Uganda again next Tuesday at Setsoto Stadium in the home leg of the Group L qualifying fixture. Sello is expected to return for next week’s tie.

Likuena Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Samuel Khetsekile (LCS), Likano Mphuthi (LDF), Mohau Kuenane (free agent)

Defenders:

Kopano Tseka (Lioli), Mafa Moremoholo (Lioli), Nkau Lerotholi (LMPS), Basia Makepe (LMPS)

Midfielders:

Tšepo Toloane (LDF), Tshwarelo Bereng (Black Leopards, SA), Tšotleho Jane (free agent), Hlompho Kalake (Bantu), Luciano Matsoso (Black Leopards, SA), Mabuti Potloane (Matlama), Tumelo Khutlang (Black Leopards, SA), Jane Thaba-Ntšo (Matlama)

Strikers:

Masoabi Nkoto (Real Kings, SA), Motebang Sera (Matlama), Setho Moshoeshoe (LCS), Thapelo Tale (LCS)

Thapelo Tale back in Lesotho fold for Uganda double header

Thapelo Tale returns to Likuena squad after a year out
 for Uganda double header..

LCS striker Thapelo Tale has been recalled to the Lesotho squad for this week’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double header against Uganda.

Likuena are away to the Cranes on Saturday and then host Uganda next Tuesday evening at Setsoto Stadium.

Tale last played for Lesotho in a 4-3 COSAFA Cup semi-final defeat to Zimbabwe in July 2017 and returns to the national team fold after a year in the wilderness.

Much of that exile was down to his club struggles. However, Tale has found a new lease of life since joining LCS in January and has impressed to start this season.

“Thapelo Tale brings a lot of experience into the squad,” Likuena coach Moses Maliehe said. “Tale has played in such games before and we feel that his experience will be useful to the team.”

Lesotho’s all-time leader goalscorer in the COSAFA Cup with five goals, Tale played in Likuena’s opening 2019 AFCON qualifier against Tanzania last June.

The Masheshena speedster was Likuena’s goalscorer that day in a 1-1 draw and hopefully brings more firepower to a Lesotho offence that has only scored one goal in its last three competitive games.

Tale joins a Likuena strikeforce that includes Matlama striker Motebang Sera and Nkoto Masoabi who has impressed since his August move to Real Kings in South Africa.

Dates set for Lesotho’s 2019 AFCON double header against Uganda in October

Likuena face a crucial 2019 AFCON qualifying double
 header against Uganda in October...

The dates for Lesotho’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier double header against Uganda next month have been confirmed.

Likuena will face Uganda away on Saturday 13 October at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole. The Cranes will then play Likuena on Tuesday 16 October at Setsoto Stadium.

Uganda (with 4 points) and Lesotho (2 points) are the top two sides in Group L after two games.

Likuena started their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in June 2017 before a goalless draw with Cape Verde at Setsoto Stadium two weeks ago.

The other two teams in the group, Cape Verde and Tanzania, will also faceoff in a double header clash next month with Tanzania travelling away first.

The top two teams from Group L at the end of qualification next March will advance to the 2019 AFCON finals in Cameroon next June. Next year’s AFCON will be the first time the continental showpiece is contested by 24 nations.

Group L standings:

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	Uganda	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	4
2	Lesotho	2	0	2	0	2	2	0	2
3	Tanzania	2	0	2	0	1	1	0	2
4	Cape Verde	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1