The 2022 edition of the tournament will have a lot at stake as it’s also regional qualifier for the TotalEnergies AFCON U-20 Egypt 2023.<\/p>\n
Mohapi was the first to admit that his side must up their game following below par performances in the two warm-up matches against Botswana, where they played a draw and a lost the other.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent friendly games against University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Botswana were part of our preparations, which we used to try different combinations and look at all the players in the squad,\u201d Mohapi stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave us a picture of what needs to be done in our final preparations leading into the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mohapi bemoaned the absence of some of his key players, who will not travel to Eswatini as they must sit for their final examinations while the tournament will be taking place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think physically our players are not where we would want them to be as we could only train them on weekends due to school commitments during the week-days,\u201d the Makoanyane XI coach explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we will do our best to improve their physical condition in the remaining days. Unfortunately, we have others that have been omitted from the final squad\u00a0 as they have to sit for examinations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Makoanyane XI coach feels his team is still a work in progress but is confident of a good showing in Eswatini.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to do well at the tournament, but we are aware that our team is still a work in progress because it’s new squad and majority of the players will be heading to their first COSAFA tournament,\u201d Mohapi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a worrying factor in terms of them getting the stage fright, but we are doing a lot of work to get them ready psychologically,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lesotho are in Group B alongside defending champions in Mozambique, Angola and Seychelles.<\/p>\n
Makoanyane XI Squad for COSAFA Championship:<\/strong><\/p>\n GOALKEEPERS<\/strong>: Katiso Tsoamotse, Maqebo Temana, T\u1e67epo Mokhanya.<\/p>\n DEFENDERS:<\/strong> Moalosi Lebeko, Khosimotse Theko, Bakuena Monaheng, Bongani Feketho, Lehlohonolo Leemisa, Tlotliso Mapola.<\/p>\n MIDFIELDERS:<\/strong> Reabetsoe Linono, Tanki Tsibela, Neo Maieane, Relebohile Malefane, Lintle Chocholo, Bataung Molefi.<\/p>\n STRIKERS:<\/strong> Tumeliso Rat\u1e67iu, T\u1e67epo Kome, Molefi Kolehile. Limpho Ralesupi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lesotho National under-20 coach Bafokeng Mohapi has named his final squad for the COSAFA Under-20 Championship scheduled for Eswatini from October 7-16. The 2022 edition of the tournament will have a lot at stake as it’s also regional qualifier for the TotalEnergies AFCON U-20 Egypt 2023. Mohapi was the first to admit that his side…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"yoast_head":"\n