Likuena coach Bob Mafoso has explained why he selected a 26-man squad for the training camp that commenced with medical tests on Friday, 3rd July.

The camp has, however, excluded Lijabatho players, who have also started preparations for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League, with the preliminary round set to commence in September.

Mafoso said he has been in constant communication with the Lijabatho technical team, and their players remain part of the Likuena set-up. They will travel with the rest of the squad when Likuena heads to the high-performance centre where they are due to undergo tests.

“This comes after a study and ongoing analysis of the Likuena players which has indicated physical shortcomings. It is an area that the technical team is working around the clock to improve ahead of the start of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 Qualifiers slated to start in September,” Mafoso stated.

“Because of the studies and analysis that have been done on our team and league, we have to invest a lot in tactics and more on the physical side of the game because we feel we are way behind the teams that we compete against,” Mafoso said.

“We are in constant communication with Lijabatho and because they have to prepare for the Champions League, their players have been excused. But I can tell you, we are discussing with them because they are facing the same problems as us.

“But when we go to the high-performance centre, their players who are in our plans will go with us because the areas that we are targeting and want to improve are the same.

“We want to help all these players that are in our plans so that whoever we choose from this group when we select the final squad are in better shape, whether it’s eight or ten, but they must be ready to help us.

“If we had a fully fleshed professional league, we wouldn’t have lost the four LDF players to undergo the training they have just come back from.

“They would have kept their place in this team as they were part of the squad when we were playing the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and did very well. We need to assess them and fast-track their fitness because they are talented players,” Mafoso concluded.