Jelusic names Lesotho squad for Comoros, Cote d’voire matches
Lesotho coach Veselin Jelusic has named his final squad for the upcoming TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group H matches against Comoros and Cote d’voire respectively.
‘Likuena’, as the Lesotho national team is affectionately known, will open their campaign against Comoros in Moroni on June 3 and will be followed by a home match against Cote d’voire at the Dobsonville Stadium on June 9.
Jelusic charges are scheduled to play friendly matches against Namibia and Ethiopia on May 26 and 29 respectively before they open their Afcon campaign against Comoros .
“The friendly matches will give us an idea of which players can be in the starting line-up against Comoros and we hope that from the two games, we get something positive that will give us momentum going into the important fixtures against Comoros and Cote d’voire,” Jelusic told a media briefing on Tuesday.
“Yes, we have done our homework on our opponents. We have watched a lot of clips and we all know that Comoros played at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon a few months ago. They won against some of the best African teams such as Ghana.
“There are a lot of clips and possibilities to see their players because a lot of them play in Europe. We know a lot about them. Cote d’voire, they have players in the English Premier league, and we know that Wilfred Zaha scored a few days ago as Crystal Palace beat Manchester United. A very strong team with a lot of players in different leagues in Europe.”
American based Lesia Thetsane along with Nkoto Masoabi, who plays his football in Georgia for Merani Martvilli, make the squad for the first time since the Serbian took over the reins as the Lesotho coach.
“Our local based players are in good competitive shape while those playing outside the country will join us in Johannesburg ahead of the friendly matches with Namibia and Malawi,” the Lesotho mentor noted.
“We will give chance to all the players during the friendly matches. Thetsane, Tshwarelo Bereng and Motebang Sera, will all link up with the team in Johannesburg while Masoabi will join in Addis Ababa.”
Lesotho final squad
GOALKEEPERS: Monaheng Ramalefane (Matlama), Sekhoane Moerane (LMPS), Tankiso Chaba (LCS)
DEFENDERS: Thabang Malane (LCS), Basia Makepe (LMPS), Motlomelo Mkwanazi – (Bantu), Kopano Tseka (LCS), Lehlohonolo Lenka (LCS), Rethabile Mokokoane (Matlama) Rethabile Senkoto (Lifofane), Rethabile Rasethunts’a, (Linare), Ts’iame Ramabel (LDF).
MIDFIELDERS: Ts’epo Toloane (LDF), Ts’oarelo Bereng (Black Eagles SA), Thabo Mafatle (Lijabatho), Lesia Thetsane (Ballard FC-USA), Lisema Lebokollane (Matlama), Tumelo Makha (TTM FC-SA).
FORWARDS: Rets’elisitsoe Mopeli (Lijabatho), Katleho Makateng (LDF), Sera Motebang (Golden Arrows SA), Jane Thabants’o (Matlama), Masoabi Nkoto (Merani Martvili-Georgia).
