AS part of their comprehensive preparations for the inaugural COSAFA Women Champions League scheduled for July, the Women Super League champions LDF Ladies thrashed Thupa-Kubu Ladies by 23-0 in a friendly match on Saturday in Maseru.

The next day, the army outfit smashed Sky Battalion 6-1 in the Dare to Dream Championship in Mohale’s Hoek.

In a post-match interview on Sunday, LDF Ladies head coach Lehloenya Nkhasi said although he was satisfied with the weekend results, he was however not impressed by his charges’ overall performance.

“We did not start well, we played against a well-organised team that did not allow us to play in the first half, hence, we went into the half time break only leading by 1-0.

“But we discussed the challenge during half time and came back with a different strategy.

“We introduced Nthabeleng Potsane in the second stanza to distract their defence looking at her energy and pace and we shifted to play long balls, launching them behind opponents, and that really worked for us. We are trying as much as possible to let every player have a go because we are looking at the bigger picture, which is preparing our team for the COSAFA Women Champions League,” he said.

He further showed that his technical team is trying to give every player the opportunity while keeping the core of the team.

“During our friendly on Saturday, we had to start without some of our regular players including Captain Ntšabeng Pelea and Bokang Ntsane who were on the bench to avoid unnecessary injuries.”

Nkhasi also showed that his team made tactical changes to ensure that their balls reached the danger zone.

“We had a lot of chances in the first half but failed to finish. Our players need to understand that all the teams are equal and should not undermine any side. But the goal we conceded was unnecessary. 

“Kill the game early because you do not know how the opponent may react next. Focus, we conceded a goal due to lack of concentration, my charges did not return timely to defend after attacking, hence the opponents punished us on counterattack and their striker scored a one-on-one ball. Even though we did not start well, I am happy that we ended the match at a high note,” Nkhasi also said.  

In another interview, Sky Battalion assistant coach Thabang Thamae said his side conceded three fair goals, but added that the last three were the assistant referee’s blunders.

“She was not aware that they were offside goals. We used an amateur goalkeeper because our regular goalkeeper is still nursing an injury she sustained during a 10-0 loss to LDF on May 23.