Seabata Mahao
The senior national team, Likuena, last night went down 3-1 to the Central African Republic (CAR) in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B opener at the Stade El Abdu in El Jadida, Morocco.
Likuena started the match in the worst possible way against the Wild Beasts by conceding the first goal in the first minute of the match.
CAR went on to double the scoreline in the 24th minute to go into the half-time break with a healthy lead. But Likuena’s spirit fight back in the second half saw them pulling a goal back through Motebang Sera.
They could not, however, level the scores, and instead, it was the Wild Beasts who found a third goal to seal the win.
Following this early setback, Lesotho will now shift their focus to their second Group B match against the hosts, Morocco, at the Agadir Stadium on September 9.
Ahead of their match against CAR, Likuena’s Head Coach, Leslie Notši, called for consistency from his players and respect for their opponents. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to challenge the continent’s football powerhouses.
“We have shown in recent months that we can compete with top teams, having frustrated sides like Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. We need to dig deep and work harder against the giants in our group: Morocco, Gabon, and CAR,” he said.
“Playing at this level is a great opportunity for us. We believe we can make an impact, but we must respect all our opponents. They have some of Africa’s best players competing at the highest level,” Notši added.
He acknowledged that Morocco, with their strong performances in the 2022 World Cup and recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will be a particularly challenging opponent.
“No team in this group can be considered an easy opponent. Morocco is going to be the toughest, given their recent success in the AFCON, World Cup, and Olympics. Gabon and CAR are also competitive teams,” Notši noted.
The provisional squad includes goalkeepers, Sekhoane Moerane from Orbit College FC, Tankiso Chaba (LCS FC), Ntsane Molise (Linare FC), and Motlatsi Sebapala from Bantu FC.
The defenders are Thabang Malane (African Stars FC, Namibia), Thabo Makhele (Chippa United FC South Africa), Fusi Matlabe (Mpheni Defenders FC), Katleho Koeana (LMPS FC), Thabo Matšoele (Linare FC), Rethabile Rasethuntša (Linare FC), Rethabile Mokokoane (Matlama FC), Mokhele Molise (LDF FC), Motete Mohai (Matlama FC), Letlotlo Molomo (LCS FC), and Thato Sefuli from Upington City FC.
In the middle of the park, the players are Lisema Lebokollane (Matlama FC), Lehlohonolo Fothoane (Bantu FC), Lehlohonolo Matsau (LDF FC), Katiso Thamae (Matlama FC), Tšepo Toloane (LDF FC), Paseka Maile (Kick4Life FC), Tšepang Sefali (Linare FC), Tšepo Mokhanya (Linare FC), Mosoeu Mosoeu (Mangau United FC, South Africa), Tlotliso Phatsisi, Teboho Letsema from Sekhukhune (United FC), and Neo Mokhachane from Jwaneng Galaxy FC.
The frontline includes Thabiso Brown (Jiangxi Lushan FC, China), Katleho Makateng (LDF FC), Jane Thabantšo (Matlama FC), Tšeliso Botsane (Bantu FC), Motebang Sera (Royal AM FC, South Africa), and Leruo Lethunya from LDF FC.
