Likuena coach Bob Mafoso has made improving the national team’s physical conditioning his top priority as Lesotho prepares for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Mafoso says enhancing the players’ fitness levels will be key to improving the team’s competitiveness on the international stage, where physical endurance often makes the difference between victory and defeat.
Speaking to journalists this week, he said his mission is to improve the team’s performances, noting that Likuena’s players do not cover as much ground as their opponents during matches, undermining their ability to compete effectively.
He said the recently concluded pre-season camp, which ended on July 23 instead of the initially scheduled July 30, helped lay the foundation for building stronger and healthier players. However, he stressed that the work must continue through intensive and consistent training programmes.
Mafoso believes improved physical fitness will translate into better stamina and enable the players to maintain high performance levels throughout matches.
The national team coach also apologised to clubs for taking their players into camp. He said all clubs were represented during the pre-season programme, adding that he had engaged Lijabatho FC separately because the club needed time to prepare for its international commitments.
A total of 46 players participated in the camp. He also outlined the player management plan going forward, explaining that players will report to the national team every Monday and Tuesday before returning to their respective clubs for the remainder of the week.
According to Mafoso, success on the pitch requires players to possess four key attributes: mental, physical, technical and tactical aptitude.
He expressed concern over the team’s physical output, revealing that Likuena trails its opponents significantly in distance covered during matches. Using the team’s June 2026 encounter against Kenya’s Harambee Stars as an example, he noted that Likuena covered an average of 71 kilometres on the pitch compared with Kenya’s 99 kilometres.
He said improving the team’s physical conditioning will be critical if Likuena is to compete more effectively against Africa’s top sides.
Likuena are set to compete in the AFCON qualifiers, scheduled to take place between September 21 and October 6 this year. Lesotho has been drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Gabon and Niger.
Mafoso said Likuena’s short distance covered in training is not the issue, stressing that players will need to cope with the demands of covering up to 115 kilometres collectively during competitive matches.
Reflecting on Morocco’s recent World Cup performances, which included a draw against Brazil, he said, “We believe we have talent like everyone else.”
Beyond physical preparation, Mafoso emphasised the importance of exposing local players to higher levels of competition abroad, arguing that having more Basotho players plying their trade outside the country would significantly improve the national team’s performances.
Ahead of the upcoming qualifiers, he said the technical team has approached data companies to obtain match footage for analysis, including Likuena versus Kenya, Lijabatho versus Lifofane, Matlama versus Linare, and LCS versus Manonyane.
The coach also revealed plans for Likuena to play practice matches against South African teams as part of preparations for the AFCON qualifiers.
Summary
- Speaking to journalists this week, he said his mission is to improve the team’s performances, noting that Likuena’s players do not cover as much ground as their opponents during matches, undermining their ability to compete effectively.
- He also outlined the player management plan going forward, explaining that players will report to the national team every Monday and Tuesday before returning to their respective clubs for the remainder of the week.
- Mafoso said Likuena’s short distance covered in training is not the issue, stressing that players will need to cope with the demands of covering up to 115 kilometres collectively during competitive matches.
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.
