Seabata Mahao
Leslie Notši, the head coach of the senior national football team, Likuena, has made a surprising decision by leaving out all players from premier league champions, Lioli FC, in his provisional squad for the upcoming Total Energies 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The exclusion of Lioli players, despite their club’s successful premier league season, has raised eyebrows in the football fraternity.
Likuena is set to play against the Central African Republic (CAR) on September 5 and Morocco on September 9.
In his squad, Notši has retained many of the players who featured in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in March. The team will convene for a non-residential camp of locally based players starting from August 26, at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.
The provisional squad includes goalkeepers, Sekhoane Moerane from Orbit College FC, Tankiso Chaba (LCS FC), Ntsane Molise (Linare FC), and Motlatsi Sebapala from Bantu FC.
The defenders are Thabang Malane (African Stars FC, Namibia), Thabo Makhele (Chippa United FC South Africa), Fusi Matlabe (Mpheni Defenders FC), Katleho Koeana (LMPS FC), Thabo Matšoele (Linare FC), Rethabile Rasethuntša (Linare FC), Rethabile Mokokoane (Matlama FC), Mokhele Molise (LDF FC), Motete Mohai (Matlama FC), Letlotlo Molomo (LCS FC), and Thato Sefuli from Upington City FC.
In the middle of the park, the players are Lisema Lebokollane (Matlama FC), Lehlohonolo Fothoane (Bantu FC), Lehlohonolo Matsau (LDF FC), Katiso Thamae (Matlama FC), Tšepo Toloane (LDF FC), Paseka Maile (Kick4Life FC), Tšepang Sefali (Linare FC), Tšepo Mokhanya (Linare FC), Mosoeu Mosoeu (Mangau United FC, South Africa), Tlotliso Phatsisi, Teboho Letsema from Sekhukhune (United FC), and Neo Mokhachane from Jwaneng Galaxy FC.
The frontline includes Thabiso Brown (Jiangxi Lushan FC, China), Katleho Makateng (LDF FC), Jane Thabantšo (Matlama FC), Tšeliso Botsane (Bantu FC), Motebang Sera (Royal AM FC, South Africa), and Leruo Lethunya from LDF FC.
