Chris Theko
There has been uncertainty over the un-well Moses Maliehe since May this year when he was given leave of absence, owing to illness while the team was preparing for the COSAFA Tournament.
The team was led by his assistants Mpitsa Marai and James Madidilane to Durban South Africa for the tournament.
After the not so successful COSAFA journey, the team was led by the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Technical Director, Leslie Notši on an interim basis for back to back fixtures against South Africa in the CHAN qualifiers, and that tie was won 6-2 on aggregate by Lesotho.
However, it appears the recent record of being coaches, as well as Not return to his duties as the Technical Director, the Lesotho football governing body has decided to cast its net wider in search for a new senior national team coach and is allegedly chasing the former South African under 20 national team coach, Thabo Senong.
A source close to the story reliably informed this publication that LeFA is chasing Senong.
At this point what I can confirm is that they (LeFA) have shown quite an interest in him (Senong) and he also has no problem of coming to work here, said a source.
It is also alleged that LeFA representatives met with him prior to the return leg against Bafana Bafana in Soweto.
Senong’s contract with South African under-20 has since ended in June this year and has not been renewed after a poor showing at the FIFA under 20 World Cup, suffering an early elimination.
He achieved third place finishes at the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations under-20 to qualify for the unparalleled two World Cups but in both instances only got as far as the group stages without winning a game.
Nonetheless, LeFA Secretary General Mokhosi Mohapi repudiated the reports and said he was unaware of any contact.
I am the Secretary General of this association, I should know if there has been such talk with Senong. I don’t know who is talking about this, but we have never talked to him.
What I can say is that Senong was the one who helped Moses Maliehe to profile the Cape Verde team during the AFCON qualifiers, said Mohapi.
He however admitted that they are searching for a coach.
Currently we are looking for a coach. We need a coach as soon as possible and we are indeed looking both locally and internationally, he confirmed.
Meanwhile LeFA on Friday reinstated Leslie Notši to lead Likuena in the upcoming 2022 World Cup preliminary round qualifiers against Ethiopia.
The first Leg will be played in Addis Ababa on September 8.
On the task at hand, Notsi opted to call up a huge group of the team that played in CHAN against Bafana Bafana, and added to it some of the internationals, mostly once based in South African teams.
Most of these players I picked now raised their hands and performed well against Bafana Bafana hence I saw no reason to not call them again, he said.
Likuena squad to play Ethiopia
Goalkeeper; Thabiso Lichaba (Bantu), Likano Mphuthi (Lesotho Defence Force)
Defenders; John Mohai (Matlama), Rethabile Mokokoane (Matlama), Tsoanelo Koetle (Lioli), Nkau Lerotholi (Lesotho Mounted Police Service), Basia Makepe (Lesotho Mounted Police Service), Motlomelo Mokhonazi(TTM) and Rethabile Rasethunts¡a (Linare).
Midfielders; Lisema Lebokollane (Matlama), Makara Ntaitsane (Lesotho Correctional Service) Neo Mokhachane (Bantu), Hlompho Kalake (Bantu) Tsepo Toloane (Lesotho Defence Force), Jane Thaba-Ntso (Matlama), Lehlohonolo Fothoane (Bantu), Ts’oarelo Bereng (Black Leopards) and Tumelo Khutlang (Black Leopards).
Strikers; Motebang Sera (Bloemfontein Celtic) TÅ¡epo Seturumane (Lesotho Mounted Police Service), Nkoto Masoabi (Real Kings) and Mokone Marabe (Bantu).
