Moorosi Tsiane
TUMELO Khutlang and Nkoto Masoabi are expected to join the Likuena camp tomorrow that is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifier clash with Cape Verde at Setsoto Stadium next Sunday.
Khutlang plies his trade at Absa premiership side Black Leopards where he has already won many supporters after scoring on his debut a fortnight in a match which his side played 2-2 with Chippa United.
He also played the whole 90 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday.
Masoabi plays for South African National First Division side Real Kings where he also scored in his debut last Sunday. His side however, lost the match 2-1 to Milano United last Sunday.
Likuena coach Moses Maliehe confirmed that the duo will arrive on tomorrow while the trio of Tšoarelo Bereng, Luciano Matsoso and Jane Tšotleho are already in the country from their respective teams.
Both Bereng and Matsoso are Khutlang’s teammates at Black Leopards but are yet to feature for the Limpopo based outfit while Tšotleho’s contract with his Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown has ended.
“They (Khutlang and Masoabi) are arriving tomorrow to join the rest of the team as Masoabi’s team has a game this weekend,” Maliehe said.
“Khutlang’s team told us they would only release him on Sunday (today) so both players will arrive tomorrow.
“The good thing is that the other three players foreign based players namely Bereng, Matsoso and Tšotleho are already here.”
Maliehe said the foreign based players’ experience would come in handy for Likuena in the tie against Cape Verde.
“We are playing teams which have players in professional leagues so it is important that we also have our own personnel based in foreign leagues and are doing well there. Their experience will come in handy and hopefully they will help us to win this match,” Maliehe said.
He also said he was impressed with the new boys (Lepheana Mofolo, Thetso Phosoli, Setho Moshoeshoe and Thabang Rabi) in his team who played in the two friendlies against eSwatini on Sunday and Monday.
“I know we do not have much time with them as they were only called recently but so far I am happy with what they have given to the team. I hope they will build onto their previous performance.
“It is still too early to have high expectations for the new players as I am still expecting them to learn from the senior players. Thetso is still young so I want him to learn first before we can give him pressure to deliver,” Maliehe said.