LIKUENA’s poor run under the mentorship of Thabo Senong continued on Wednesday as the national team suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Mozambique in a Three Nations Tournament that got underway in Maputo, Mozambique on Wednesday.

The competition made up of the host country along with Eswatini and Lesotho forms part of the three countries’ preparations for the regional COSAFA Cup to be staged in Durban, South Africa next month.

Senong, who came with an impressive CV when he was appointed Likuena coach in August, 2019, has not won a single game in the 12 competitive matches that the senior national team has played under his headship.

Likuena conceded as early as the 1st minute against Mozambique on Wednesday when Melque Alexandra capitalised on lack of concentration on the part of the visitors to score an early goal for his country.

Things went from bad to worse as Tṧoanelo Koetle making a return to the national team after a long absence conceded a penalty shortly afterwards.

Mozambique captain Bruno Langa stepped up and slotted the spot past helpless Monaheng Ramafane, who was given his first start for Likuena.

Mozambique’s lead was increased towards the half-hour as the home side took a comfortable 3-0 advantage going into the half-time break.

Senong, who had rested a number of his senior players made several changes after the interval bringing in Captain Basia Makepe, Lisema Lebokollane, Nkoto Masoabi and Tumelo Ngatane.

Koetle, Jane Tṧotleho, Thabo Seakhoa and Tau were all taken off.

However, Likuena failed to recover from the poor first half when Mozambique increased their lead through Salas Malucho and Estavao Novela as Likuena suffered their biggest defeat since the 7-0 loss to Ghana in 2012.

“A very tough game for us, but I want to congratulate Mozambique. They played a very good game especially in the first half, we battled to react tactically, battled to adapt to their intensity and we made a lot of mistakes in the first half,” Senong told journalists after the match.