Seabata Mahao
The senior national team, Likuena, will hope to maintain their unbeaten start to their 2026 World Cup qualifier campaign when they face Zimbabwe later today in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
The Leslie Notši-led team will have to quickly regroup as they will then lock horns with Rwanda a few days later in Durban, South Africa, where Lesotho will be the hosts due to the country’s lack of FIFA-approved playing facilities.
The constantly improving Likuena last weekend drew 1-1 with Namibia in a training match ahead of the two qualifier matches.
Having opened their 2026 World Cup qualifier campaign with draws against Nigeria and Benin respectively, Likuena are in high spirits going into their next matches according to coach, Notši.
“The preparations have gone well, and what is good is that the players are focused, bubbly, and rearing to go. Everybody understands why we are here as a group and the foreign-based players are also here,” Notši said.
“We all know that Zimbabwe in our region has been a dominant football country winning the Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) Cups while most of their players in their squad are based outside their borders in Europe, South Africa, etc.”
He said playing them was going to demand a lot, and they were looking forward to the contest. “We are still a work in progress and it’s good to play such nations.”
He said Rwanda should not be taken lightly as it has already beaten South Africa, and could therefore prove to be tricky for them.
Likuena’s called-up squad to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda includes a healthy mix of local players and those based outside the country.
The goalkeeping department is made up of captain, Sekhoane Moerane of Orbit College, South Africa, Tankiso Chaba (LCS FC), and Ntsane Molise of Linare FC.
The defenders include Motlomelo Mkwanazi (BDF XI FC, Botswana), Fusi Matlabe (Home Defenders FC, South Africa), Rethabile Mokokoane (Matlama FC), Rethabile Rasethuntša (Linare FC), Thabang Malane (LCS FC), Mohai Mohai (Matlama FC), Thabo Makhele (Chippa United FC, South Africa), and Thabo Matšoele of Bantu FC.
The midfielders are Lisema Lebokollane (Linare FC), Lehlohonolo Matsau (LDF FC), Thabo Lesaoana (Bantu FC), Tlotliso Phatsisi (Sekhukhuni United FC, South Africa), Tshwarelo Bereng (Orbit College, South Africa), Tumelo Khutlang (Lioli FC), Tšepo Toloane (LDF FC), Lehlohonolo Fothoane (Bantu FC), Tšepang Sefali (Linare FC), Neo Mokhachane (VTM FC, Botswana), and Teboho Letsema of Sekhukhuni United FC, South Africa.
The front line is made up of Jane Thabantšo (Matlama FC), Motebang Sera (Royal AM FC, South Africa, and Lemohang Lintša of Limkokwing University FC.
