Defending champions LDF Ladies will have the opportunity to retain their Queen’s Cup title following the return of the tournament this year, with the second edition scheduled to run from June 27 to July 4.
The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA), in partnership with Blue Sky Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, officially launched the competition this week, bringing back the tournament that celebrates Her Majesty Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso’s 50th birthday.
LDF Ladies, who lifted the inaugural title last year, headline an eight-team field and will face seven challengers eager to dethrone them.
The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of Amazulu Ladies, Koalepe Ladies, Mafokotsane Ladies and Berea Ladies, while Group B comprises LDF Ladies, Emmanuel Ladies, Team Go Ladies and United Stars Ladies from Maseru.
Six of the participating teams secured their places through district qualifying tournaments, while Women’s Super League sides LDF Ladies and Berea Ladies received automatic entry into the final eight-team competition.
Notably, the two strongest sides on paper, LDF Ladies and Berea Ladies, have been placed in separate groups, raising the possibility of a highly anticipated final showdown between the two rivals.
Speaking during the launch, Berea District Football Association (DIFA) president and Lesotho Football Association National Executive Committee member, Lekhooa Thabaneng, praised Blue Sky Air-conditioning and Refrigeration for maintaining its commitment to the growth of women’s football.
“We will continue celebrating her birthday and Blue Sky is still sponsoring the games,” Thabaneng said.
“These games are for two districts, Maseru and Berea, but it is our ambition to have other districts involved.”
Thabaneng explained that LDF Ladies and Berea Ladies did not participate in the district qualifying rounds because the competition was initially conceived as a contest between the two clubs before expanding to include more teams.
He noted that the tournament was first introduced in August as part of African Women’s Month celebrations before evolving into the Queen’s Cup. Organisers are also working closely with the Ministry of Sports to facilitate Queen ’Masenate’s attendance at the final on July 4.
Blue Sky invested more than M100,000 in last year’s tournament. Although the company declined to reveal this year’s sponsorship package, organisers expect the budget to surpass that of the inaugural edition.
“Blue Sky will take full responsibility financially and will provide kits for all teams, transport and prize money. Prizes are for the last four teams only, as was the case last year,” Thabaneng added.
Beyond team awards, organisers will also recognise outstanding individual performers. Awards will be presented to the Top Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach, Best Referee, Best Assistant Referee and the Player of the Tournament.
All matches will be played at Mejametalana Airwing, with football fans expected to witness a week of intense competition as clubs battle for silverware and the honour of lifting the Queen’s Cup.
Quarter-final Fixtures
- Berea Ladies vs Koalepe Ladies
- United Stars Ladies vs Emmanuel Ladies
- LDF Ladies vs Team Go Ladies
- Amazulu Ladies vs Mafokotsane Ladies
Summary
- Notably, the two strongest sides on paper, LDF Ladies and Berea Ladies, have been placed in separate groups, raising the possibility of a highly anticipated final showdown between the two rivals.
- Thabaneng explained that LDF Ladies and Berea Ladies did not participate in the district qualifying rounds because the competition was initially conceived as a contest between the two clubs before expanding to include more teams.
- All matches will be played at Mejametalana Airwing, with football fans expected to witness a week of intense competition as clubs battle for silverware and the honour of lifting the Queen’s Cup.
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.
