Makoanyane XI head coach Motolo Makepe has raised concerns over the challenge of building Lesotho’s national Under-20 team around school-going players, indicating that some of the country’s brightest young talents could miss out on selection due to academic commitments.
The young Crocodiles are preparing for the COSAFA Under-20 Championship, scheduled to take place in Mauritius from September 21 to 30. The tournament will also serve as the regional qualifier for the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
A 25-man provisional squad reported for a month-long training camp at BambathaTšita Sports Arena on Monday, taking advantage of the winter school holidays. The camp is aimed at ensuring the team is adequately prepared for the regional competition, with several friendly matches planned to test combinations and assess the squad’s readiness.
However, Makepe admitted that the timing of the tournament presents a significant obstacle.
“The challenge we face is school examinations because when we go to the tournament in September, some players will be sitting for their final examinations,” Makepe said.
“However, some have already completed high school while others are studying at tertiary institutions, so we can rely on them.”
The coach revealed that his strategy is to build a wider pool of approximately 40 players to provide depth and ensure continuity whenever key players become unavailable.
Makepe, who recently took charge of the side, said he has maintained the core structure established by his predecessor, HalemakaleMahlaha, while also integrating players he identified during his time with Lesotho’s Under-17 national team.
“I took over the team that was built by coach HalemakaleMahlaha and also included players I had identified since 2023 at Under-17 level,” he said.
“I also relied on recommendations from other coaches who referred players to me for assessment because I did not have enough time to travel around the country scouting talent.”
The coach said the technical team is focusing not only on immediate results but also on long-term player development. As part of that approach, selectors have shifted their attention towards younger age groups.
“There is a lot of talent in the country, and we have decided to stop scouting players born in 2007 and instead focus on those born in 2008 and 2009 because they can remain in the team for about two seasons,” Makepe explained.
“If we focus mainly on players born in 2007, next year we will have no team. We have to make sure that when some players graduate, we already have others ready to fill the void.”
Lesotho will be aiming to qualify for the Under-20 AFCON finals for only the third time in the nation’s history.
The country’s first appearance came in 2005 under the late Seepheephe “Mochine” Matete when the tournament was hosted in Benin. Makoanyane XI returned to the continental stage in 2011 under Leslie Notši when South Africa hosted the finals.
The upcoming COSAFA Championship offers another opportunity for the young Basotho side to end a lengthy absence from Africa’s premier youth football competition.
Despite concerns over player availability, Makepe remains encouraged by the quality of talent currently in camp and believes the intensive training programme will be vital in preparing the squad for the challenge ahead.
Beyond chasing qualification, the coach said his broader mandate is to identify and nurture players capable of progressing to the senior national team in the years to come.
“Our responsibility is not only to qualify for AFCON but also to develop players who can eventually serve the senior national team,” Makepe said.
Summary
- “There is a lot of talent in the country, and we have decided to stop scouting players born in 2007 and instead focus on those born in 2008 and 2009 because they can remain in the team for about two seasons,” Makepe explained.
- Despite concerns over player availability, Makepe remains encouraged by the quality of talent currently in camp and believes the intensive training programme will be vital in preparing the squad for the challenge ahead.
- Beyond chasing qualification, the coach said his broader mandate is to identify and nurture players capable of progressing to the senior national team in the years to come.
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.
