Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Likuena team manager, Thabo Pule, is confident the squad’s early preparations will help them find their rhythm before they take on Zambia in a World Cup qualifier on March 22.
The Lesotho team went into camp this week as Leslie Notši’s team prepared for the do-or-die tie against Chipolopolo after a disastrous start to the qualifiers.
“It’s true we had a bad start to the qualifiers losing 0-7 to Ghana, but I still think we have a chance of doing well in our upcoming matches especially here at home,” Pule said.
“I have watched the two teams play in the Africa Cup of Nations hosted by South Africa and I think we have what it takes to compete with them in the field of play.”
Pule said the association is working towards getting the team a friendly match or two before they meet the Zambians.
He said the fact that the start of the premier league second round has been postponed until after the continental tournament that is taking place in South Africa has ended, is going to have a negative impact on their preparations.
“We will continue with our preparations and do an analysis on our opponents, but I remain confident that we will perform well,” Pule said.
“We always play well against both Ghana and Zambia here at home and it won’t be a surprise if we beat them like we have done in the past.”
Likuena shocked the Zambians when they knocked them out in the quarterfinals of the regional Cosafa Cup in 2000.
The late goalkeeper, Tšeliso Thite, was the hero of the team saving two spot kicks to help Likuena to a 3-1 win over Chipolopolo.
The Lesotho team went on the reach the finals where they were beaten by Zimbabwe.
He said the Likuena technical team is currently working with a squad of 20 players.
Likuena have only played two matches in the qualifiers, a 0-7 loss to Ghana in Kumasi and a goalless draw here at home against Sudan.
They are currently rooted at the bottom of Group D which consists of Zambia, Ghana and Sudan.
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