Lehohla embracing Mehalalitoe challenge

Newly roped in Mehalalitoe head coach Shalane Lehohla is embracing the new challenge to coach the Lesotho senior’s women team following the untimely passing of Pule Khojane, who had overseen the team since 2022.

The former Lesotho international, who was part of the Likuena squad that reached the final of the COSAFA Cup in 2000, has coached several clubs in the country as well as stints working with the national teams as assistant coach.

Lehohla served as the assistant coach to Leslie Notši during the 2021 edition of the COSAFA having previously been the assistant to Halemakale Mahlaha with the national under-17 side, Bahlabani.

He admitted that coaching the women’s, which will not be his first experience, is a unique challenge which has revived his passion for coaching since he was assignment by the Lesotho Football Association to hold the fort following the passing of Khojane.

He has since been roped in to lead the team going into competitions such as the COSAFA Women’s Championship, where she will work alongside Makobo Kepa as the assistant coach.

Mehalalitoe have began a non-residential camp in preparation for a friendly match against The Mares of Botswana scheduled for April during the FIFA women’s break.

“For me this is a challenge that reminds me why I chose to take this journey working as a coach and it not my first time that I have coached a women’s team,” Lehohla said.

“I know its many coaches would be afraid of, but for me it’s a motivation that has revived my passion for coaching.”

The former Likuena assistant coach said he is happy with how the team has responded in his early days in charge of Mehalalitoe and believes Lesotho is blessed with talented female players.

“Of course, the approach will be different, but I have no doubt about their abilities, our girls are very talented, and they can play,” Lehohla explained.

“I think it’s their physical and phycological aspect of the game that we need to improve especially going into the international arena for us to be on par with the countries that we compete against.

“It’s a responsibility that we are embracing to help the team improve and compete in the region and continentally,” he said.

Shalane, who is known as a no-nonsense coach stated that his door is open to every Mosotho player including those that are playing outside Lesotho borders, but respect and discipline will be very key in his selection.

“Its all about understanding the responsibility for both players playing in the domestic league and outside the country. We will not entertain any kind of ill-discipline because no player is bigger than football,” Shalane said.

Mehalalitoe are preparing to play at the COSAFA Cup to be staged later this year to improve on their performance of the last two tournaments, where they were eliminated in the group stages.