{"id":2520,"date":"2021-07-05T17:46:08","date_gmt":"2021-07-05T15:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lefa.co.ls\/?p=2520"},"modified":"2021-07-08T09:01:44","modified_gmt":"2021-07-08T07:01:44","slug":"its-an-honour-to-represent-my-country-makha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lefa.co.ls\/?p=2520","title":{"rendered":"Makha delighted with Likuena opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newly capped Likuena midfielder Tumelo Makha is over the moon to have made the national team\u2019s final squad for the historic 20th<\/sup> edition of the COSAFA Cup that got underway in Nelson Mandela Bay on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old midfielder has been impressive for Lioli in the Vodacom Premier League and has six goals including a hat-trick from the first round games.<\/p>\n

He won his first cap in the recent Three Nations tournament held in Maputo featuring host country Mozambique and Eswatini. The midfielder came from the bench for his second cap in Likuena’s 3-1 loss to Sihlangu in the opening match of the ongoing regional tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m over the moon with the opportunity to represent my country in competitions such as the COSAFA Cup. It has always been a dream to don the colours of my country at this level,\u201d Makha stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I had goosebumps before winning my first cap in the recent friendly match against Eswatini, but it was also a motivation to prove that I have what it takes to deliver at the international stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegarding my selection in the final squad, I would say, it was not really a surprise because I believe I worked hard for it and had done well at club level since the league returned to action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Makha, who was a member of the Lesotho Under-20 side at the COSAFA Youth Championship in Zambia in 2018, stated that his dream is to secure a move to play in South Africa soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe COSAFA Cup has helped open doors to greener pastures for the likes of Motebang Sera and Tumelo Khutlang and I’m confident myself and others will follow in their footsteps. I want to play in South Africa before moving abroad,\u201d the lanky midfielder said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that can only happen when we are playing well collectively and it\u2019s important that we put our focus on helping our country do well in the tournament and the rest will follow. We have a lot of experienced players in our team, and they will surely help us shine.<\/p>\n

Makha looked up to the likes of Bushy Moletsane, Mabuti Potloane and Katleho Moleko before getting his breakthrough at Lioli and it was always his dream to play football at the highest level.<\/p>\n

“I have always admired the way Bushy, Mabuti and Katleho played. They inspired me and I want to have a successful career like theirs by doing well in the domestic league, which I think I have in the last two seasons, cement my place in the national team and do well whenever I’m given the chance” he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Newly capped Likuena midfielder Tumelo Makha is over the moon to have made the national team\u2019s final squad for the historic 20th edition of the COSAFA Cup that got underway in Nelson Mandela Bay on Tuesday. 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