MASERU — Lesotho national soccer team coach, Leslie
Notši, has asked for patience and support as his team continues its
preparations for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The call comes after the fans booed striker Thapelo
Tale in Friday’s 2-1 win over Sihlangu at Setsoto Stadium. The team has also faced criticism for their poor
form upfront. Likuena, as the team is affectionately known, will
play their lowly ranked regional rivals at Setsoto Stadium again this
afternoon.
“We appreciate and respect their presence at our
games, but they should give the players a chance to learn and improve,” said
Notši.
“I’m confident the players will answer the fans’
calls by pampering them with goals in our second game this afternoon.”
The former Matlama coach pleaded with the fans to
stop booing players and instead rally behind the team. He said it was disappointing to hear some sections
of the fans booing striker Thapelo Tale shortly after he replaced Linare’s
Mabuti Potloane in the second half. “The boy is going through a difficult time after
losing his mother, who was laid to rest just last weekend,” Notši said.
Speaking about the team, Notši urged his players not
to underestimate the Swazi side which is in a rebuilding process after pulling
out of both the African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers. “It is frustrating that the team always dominates
possession against opponents but fail to bury the chances that come our way,”
he said. “It’s a chance to use this friendly against
Swaziland to improve on the goal-scoring problem, because it is part of the
preparation for the tough World Cup qualifier campaign coming ahead.”
Notši said he was delighted with the performance of
new striker Tšepo Lekhoana, who opened his account in the colours of the
national team. “He fitted in well, I’m hopeful that the goal
against Swaziland is the first of many to come in the national team jersey,”
Notši said. “These friendly matches are meant to help the
players improve their performance in continental competitions and we should
help them get it right,” he said. “I’m adamant
things will come right for the team with time as long as we continue to play
friendly matches to keep in good shape.”
Swaziland coach, Valere Billen, praised his team for
showing great hunger despite the loss in his first match in charge.
The Belgian coach sounded very hopeful for the
future ahead as Sihlangu continue with the rebuilding process after pulling out
of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers earlier this year.