Moorosi Tsiane
MASERU — The national under 20 football team Makoanyane XI coach, Moses Maliehe has been re-appointed head coach of Premier league defending champions Lioli this week, the Sunday Express can reveal.
Lioli communications and marketing manager, Moeketsi Pitso confirmed the re-appointment of Maliehe to the helm of the Berea outfit.
Maliehe who was born and bred in Berea, returns to his home team which he had a spell with in his playing days and as coach in the 1999/2000 season.
According Pitso, the re-appointed coach comes hot on the heels of former coach, Lehlohonolo Thotanyana, who left the team for the South African national first division side United FC together with the former Likuena and Lioli coach, Leslie Notši.
Pitso said Maliehe’s international experience in coaching will be an added advantage to Lioli as they are expected to hoist the national flag in the coming Confederation of African Football (CAF) championships set to commence next month where Lioli will face Primero de Agosto of Angola away, before a second leg encounter back at home a week later.
“He has international coaching experience and I believe it will help our team a lot coming into the Caf championships preliminary rounds set for next month,” Pitso said.
Maliehe was in charge of the Makoanyane XI side which hosted 13 other nations in the recent Council of Southern African Football Association Under 20 youth in December.
He said he was happy to be put in charge of a team of Lioli’s calibre which has experienced and quality players, adding that their main challenge was bringing together a winning combination to help the team to maintain their premier league title.
“I am happy with my new position and I hope I will be able to help the team retain their premier league title.
“They have quality and experienced players and the biggest challenge is to see that the players combine well and understand each other,” Maliehe said.
Meanwhile he was quick to point out that he would not quit his role as head coach of the national under 20 side.
“I am not leaving Makoanyane, I will still be available for the team whenever they need my services,” said Maliehe.
He will work with the coaching duo of former LCS coach Mosholu Mokhothu and Thabile Seeka.
Lioli ended the first round of the premier league in second position trailing two points behind log leaders Bantu.
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