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
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