Seabata Mahao
Having gotten used to the idea of hosting official matches on foreign soil over the past few years, the senior national team Likuena will now host their next AFCON qualifier match in an empty stadium.
This was confirmed Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), which announced that Likuena’s tie against the Central African Republic (CAR) scheduled for November 14 will be played behind closed doors in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
This is because LeFA has not paid the stadium fees associated with hosting a match with spectators after claiming that it is pointless to incur more costs to hire the spectator area as Likuena’s games attract poor supporter turnout. By closing the doors to spectators, LeFA expects to save over M100,000.
The national football mother body made the decision following an assessment of previous experiences, noting that midweek matches often attract low spectator turnout, which has led to significant financial losses in the past.
“The Lesotho Football Association wishes to inform the football fraternity that the upcoming 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier between Lesotho and Central African Republic scheduled for Thursday, November 14 at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, will be played behind closed doors,” LeFA said.
“Playing behind closed doors will save LeFA over M100,000.00 of security and stadium fees that have to be paid when the match is played with spectators and Likuena matches have attracted a low number of spectators since the team was forced to host its matches in South Africa since Setsoto Stadium was suspended from hosting international matches.”
LeFA also pointed to similar measures taken by other nations forced to host matches outside their home countries, such as Namibia, which has opted for closed-door games to avoid high costs.
The decision has disappointed Likuena’s loyal fan base, who consistently travel to South Africa to support the team. However, LeFA reassured fans that spectators will be allowed at the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) match against Angola, as it is likely to be held on a weekend, making it easier for supporters to attend in large numbers.
This closed-door policy was previously applied during Likuena’s AFCON qualifier against Zimbabwe at Orlando Stadium in October 2024. LeFA remains committed to balancing its financial stability with fan engagement, and while this AFCON qualifier will be without spectators, the association emphasized that fans will have the opportunity to support Likuena in future matches.
…As Likuena has one on CHAN Qualifier against Angola
Seabata Mahao
The Lesotho national football team, Likuena, is set to face Angola in the second round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers after a nail-biting 4-3 penalty victory over Namibia. The winner of this next round will secure a coveted spot in the 2025 CHAN tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The final round is scheduled as a two-legged fixture, with the first match taking place between December 20 and 22 and the second match between December 27 and 29. Exact dates and venues are yet to be confirmed by the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA).
Likuena initially took the lead in their first-leg encounter with Namibia. However, Namibia managed to level the series in the second leg, thanks to a second-half strike by Lawrence Doeseb. The tie led to a dramatic penalty shootout in which Likuena emerged victorious. Now, with the first round behind them, Likuena’s focus turns to Angola, the last obstacle standing between them and CHAN qualification.
Likuena faces a formidable opponent in Angola, who hold a stronger head-to-head record against Lesotho. In their five previous encounters since 2014, Angola has triumphed three times, while Lesotho has secured just one win and a draw. This upcoming match represents not only a chance for redemption but also an opportunity to make history, as Lesotho has yet to qualify for CHAN since joining the qualifiers in 2014.
Likuena’s Head Coach, Leslie Notši, commended his team’s resilience against Namibia. “Beating a team of Namibia’s caliber was not easy, but our determination led us to victory,” he said. Notši took the opportunity to introduce new players to the Likuena lineup, expanding the team’s pool of talent and international experience. “We’re happy with the new players. They seized the opportunity, and while there’s room for improvement, we’re confident we have talent that can compete.”
Notši emphasised that Namibia’s challenge pushed Likuena to their limits, adding, “Namibia is a good team, and the character shown by our players demonstrates that we can compete with top teams at the international level.”
The CHAN tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2009, is unique in that it features only players who compete in their domestic leagues. This restriction creates an opportunity for local talent to gain international exposure and experience.
Notši further noted that the CHAN qualifiers serve as valuable preparation for Lesotho’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Morocco later this month. The CHAN and AFCON qualifiers provide Likuena with critical experience on the road to achieving their continental ambitions.
As Lesotho’s journey in CHAN continues, the upcoming match against Angola is not only about qualification but also a test of the team’s progress and growth. Victory would mark a historic achievement for Lesotho and inspire hope for the nation’s footballing future.
