‘We’ll go out for victory against Tanzania’…………
MASERU – Lesotho national coach, Moses Maliehe, says his charges are going “all out for a win” against Tanzania in the sides’ crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Sunday at Setsoto Stadium.
If Likuena are to have any chance of qualifying for next June’s continental showpiece they have to beat Tanzania in what will be the sides’ second meeting in Group L.
The teams first met last June in Tanzania and the game ended 1-1 with Thapelo Tale scoring Likuena’s goal.
After losing twice to Uganda last month, Lesotho – after a promising start – now faces an uphill battle to make history and qualify for its first-ever AFCON.
Likuena are bottom of Group L – behind leaders Uganda, Tanzania and Cape Verde – and their fate rests on the results of the other teams in the pool.
Lesotho has two points with two games to play, and only the top two will qualify for Cameroon 2019.
Maliehe, however, insisted his team have to ‘fight for the country’ adding that Likuena plan to attack Tanzania from the first whistle on Sunday.
“We are ready, it is the same situation (as for the game) against Uganda, and we plan to attack from the beginning of the game,” Maliehe said.
“We have prepared enough to play Tanzania; we have to win the game and we cannot talk about winning the game if we are not attacking. We don’t have any other plan for the game besides attacking,” he added.
Likuena will have to achieve their goal without striker Nkoto Masoabi who is unavailable because of an injury.
Masoabi struck his first goal for his new side Real Kings in a 2-2 draw with Ajax Cape Town two weekends ago in South Africa’s National First Division and was in line to start on Sunday.
Maliehe, however, insisted his side would manage without Masoabi and pointed to Lesotho Correctional Services striker Thapelo Tale as a possible solution.
“We don’t have Nkoto; he is not in form right now. He scored against Ajax (and) it’s unfortunate he is not available (but) we have Thapelo Tale, he is a speedy player,” Maliehe said.
Maliehe said morale is high in the Likuena camp for Sunday’s game which will kick off at 4pm and whose tickets are already on sale for M30.
He said he called up the best possible squad for the task ahead and added that his technical brains trust they have enough information on Tanzania to get a result.
The East African nation is on a high after beating Cape Verde in their last Group L outing and the Taifa Stars are second in the pool with five points from four games.
A win for Likuena, though, would bring them level with Tanzania and Maliehe said he has full confidence in his team.
He continued that his charges should be motivated regardless of any monetary rewards.
“The morale is high in camp,” Maliehe said.
“We have made the best selection. Money or no money, as a person you are representing your own country,” he stressed.
“These (Likuena) players have to start representing the country and not come for money. Everybody needs money, even I do, but what about the country’s image if we keep losing and losing to countries we are equal with?” Maliehe added: “We have the best players in the squad, that’s why I mentioned money to say we are not here for money, we are here to represent the country. Football is about motivation and motivation is money. But what if it’s not there? What about yourself? What about representing the country at the highest level in Africa?”
“We have (Tanzania’s) tapes and DVDs,” Maliehe underlined.
“We have people that went to Bloemfontein to watch them playing a friendly with (Bloemfontein) Celtics (this week). The players they are using in that friendly are the players that are going to play here. We have enough information.”
Likuena squad:
Goalkeepers
Tankiso Chaba (Liphakoe), Samuel Ketsekile (LCS), Monaheng Ramalefane (Matlama)
Defenders
Basia Makepe, Nkau Lerotholi (both LMPS), Kopano Tseka, Mafa Moremoholo (both Lioli), Bokang Sello (Bantu)
Midfielders
Hlompho Kalake (Bantu), Jane Thaba-Ntšo, Mabuti Potloane (Matlama), Setho Moshoeshoe, Sepiriti Malefane (both LCS), Tumelo Khutlang, Tšoarelo Bereng (both Black Leopards), Tšepo Toloane (LDF), Jane Tšotleho
Strikers
Nkoto Masoabi (Real Kings), Thapelo Tale (LCS), Motebang Sera (Matlama)
Nkheli Liphoto