Lesotho’s football scene is set to shine on the continental stage as two of its top clubs, Lioli FC and Kick4Life, prepare to represent the country in upcoming tournaments scheduled for August and September.
In a major boost for the local game, Lioli FC, reigning champions of the Lesotho Premier League, will compete in the CAF Champions League. Fixture details and opponents are expected to be confirmed by CAF in the coming weeks.
On the women’s front, Kick4Life will participate in the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, where they have been drawn alongside Gaborone United of Botswana and Young Buffaloes of Eswatini.
The matches will take place from August 22 to 31 at the AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg. Kick4Life head coach Teboho Takisi expressed both excitement and focus ahead of the campaign.
“What we need right now is to study our opponents and analyse which areas we need to strengthen in our preparation,” said Takisi.
“We must be a disciplined team, understand our goals, and have confidence that we can win and move forward. Football is not an individual sport, it requires team effort and collective spirit.”
He added that the team has already started refining its tactics, especially in defence and attack.
“Scoring as many points as possible in the group stage will be key. The experience gained in such competitions is invaluable for both individual and team growth.”
Meanwhile, Lesotho’s Under-17 national team, Team Bahlabani, is gearing up for the COSAFA U-17 qualifiers, scheduled for September 11 to 20 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The team is placed in Group C alongside Angola, Botswana, and Mauritius.
According to Mikia Kalati, Communications Officer at the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), these international tournaments are essential for developing local talent.
“These qualifiers for the AFCON tournaments are important because they provide players with a platform to market themselves internationally,” Kalati said.
He noted that the U-15 development squad, which serves as the feeder for the U-17 team, has been actively preparing and recently returned from a friendly tour in Botswana, where they recorded one win and one loss. Team Bahlabani is set to enter a weekend training camp ahead of their departure for Zimbabwe.
Kalati also highlighted the positive social impact of increased international participation.
“Football is growing rapidly in the country, and we’re seeing more local teams participating in international competitions. This growth is not just about sport, it is also creating job opportunities and helping steer young people away from crime.”
Summary
- Lesotho’s football scene is set to shine on the continental stage as two of its top clubs, Lioli FC and Kick4Life, prepare to represent the country in upcoming tournaments scheduled for August and September.
- In a major boost for the local game, Lioli FC, reigning champions of the Lesotho Premier League, will compete in the CAF Champions League.
- He noted that the U-15 development squad, which serves as the feeder for the U-17 team, has been actively preparing and recently returned from a friendly tour in Botswana, where they recorded one win and one loss.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
