Moorosi Tsiane
Maseru
The Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) secretary general, Litšitso Motšeremeli, has expressed concern that the ongoing National University of Lesotho (NUL) examinations could negatively affect the national team’s preparations for the crucial clash against Swaziland.
Likatola or the Stallions, as the Lesotho rugby team is known, play Swaziland on May 26 in Mbabane as part of a series of ties the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) would use to decide if the country is ready for full international recognition, as well as qualification for a special
tournament scheduled for Morocco next year.
Lesotho narrowly beat Swaziland 5-3 at home on February 22 in the first match of the series — a victory watched by more than 1 000 fans, among them senior government officials and members of the Confederation of African Rugby.
The Stallions would also have to play at least three of either Mauritius, Cameroon, Zambia and Botswana
to qualify for the Morocco tournament.
However, according to Motšeremeli, the examinations currently underway at the NUL have made it impossible for the whole team to train together as some Likatola members are students at the university.
“We will be playing a very important match against Swaziland, which needs thorough preparations and the absence of these key players would be a huge blow to us,” Motšeremeli said.
“However, we are still waiting to confirm with the players whether
they would be making the trip to Swaziland.
“We cannot overemphasise the importance of this match because we are determined to qualify for the CAR tournament next year. But qualification will be based on our performance in these six matches.”
However, Motšeremeli said he was pleased with the support the FLR is receiving from the government through the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation.
“The Ministry has been very supportive of us and we are very grateful for this; they have even committed that they will be behind us in these matches.”
Motšeremeli further said the team has been training at Machabeng College and would be leaving the country for the do-or-die clash on May 21.