sports

May 30, 2018

2 min read

Mehalalitoe announce final squad for Banyana clash

Mehalalitoe announce final squad for Banyana clash

Mehalalitoe pose for a picture with LeFA president Adv Salemane Phafane

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MASERU – The Lesotho senior women's soccer team, popularly known as Mehalalitoe, announced the final squad ahead of the crucial Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana set for next Wednesday at Setsoto Stadium. The Team Manager, Mr. Lekhooa Thabaneng said the technical team selected a total of 18 players that include: Goalkeepers: Thuto Maifo and Boitumelo Nkeane. Defenders: Mosili Motšoeneng, Lerato K'heme, 'Mamoroesi Likotsi and 'Mafusi Phezulu. Midfielders: Palesa Mpeta, Boitumelo Rabale (team captain), Tšoanelo Leboka, Mosele Peta, Lerato Rasello, Moboko Kepa and Ntšabeng Pelea. Strikers: Litšeoana Maloro, Senate Letsie, Kholu Lebakeng, Relebohile Akhente and Phozile Molefe. Head Coach Mr. Monaheng Montšo and his technical team dropped three players - one goalkeeper and two in-field players.

He said one of the dropped players was left out due to work commitments and the other two were left based on performance. Mr. Thabaneng also announced the technical team as: Head Coach (Mr. Montšo), Head of Delegation (Mr. Molefe Sekonyela), Assistant Coach (Mrs. Eliza Yelimala), Kit Manager (Joalane Tongoane), Goalkeeper Coach (Lekunutu Tšoeunyane), Team Doctor (Relebohile Mabote), and the Team Manager to make a team of 25. He said the players started a full camp on Monday but their morning training camp was disrupted by the rain and had to resort to indoor training at Bambatha Tšita, in Maseru.

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Banyana Banyana were expected in the country early this week for the Wednesday match and will leave immediately after the game to Bloemfontein while Mehalalitoe will leave next week Friday for Bloemfontein for the return leg scheduled for June 16 at Dr. Molemela Stadium. Mehalalitoe eliminated Iswathini in the first round while Banyana Banyana did not feature in the first round as they waited for the winner between the two teams. The winner between Mehalalitoe and Banyana Banyana will qualify for the AWC finals in Ghana later this year.

Meanwhile, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis named a squad of 24 players to play Lesotho in the second round of the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Sasol-sponsored squad includes the bulk of tried and tested players who took part in the Cyprus Cup in March. They only included three new faces in the squad. “This is the start of the road to the World Cup in France. We have played Lesotho before and beat them, this is a new game and a different occasion," said Ellis. "Victory will get us to the 2018 AWCON in Ghana, but we are all aware that no game is as easy as it seems and we have to be at our best to get a positive result in the first leg. We need to start on a good footing so we can finish the business at home,” said Ellis.

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