Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Lesotho’s national Under 20 team affectionately known as Makoanyane XI will host Botswana in a friendly match at Setsoto Stadium on Wednesday.
The match will be used by both teams as part of their preparations for the annual Cosafa Under-20 tournament scheduled for December.
The regional governing body Cosafa is yet to announce the host country for the youth tournament.
Makoanyane XI assistant coach, Moses Maliehe, told the Sunday Express that they have picked a relatively young team to face the young Zebras team on Wednesday.
“We have a few regular names in the team, but most of the players in the squad are new faces that are being groomed to take over for future tournaments,” Maliehe said.
The retired former Lioli fullback said they have included a few established players like Montoeli Sonopo and former Under 17 captain Tšeliso Ramathe in the squad to face Botswana.
“The likes of Sonopo and Ramathe have been in the team for a longer time and their presence will help settle the nerves of the new members of the team,” he said.
Maliehe continued: “Our plan is to have a team that can sustain us for a longer period going forward and our goal is to give them the needed exposure and experience.”
Makoanyane XI have hardly played international friendly matches this year.
The Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) recently announced that they are withdrawing the youth team from participating in the 2013 Caf Youth Championship qualifiers due to lack of funds.
Lesotho were scheduled to take on Zambia in the second round of the qualifiers this month.
The return leg was set for mid-August in Lusaka.
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