Likuena legend Sutu praises Jelusic impact

Former Likuena captain Thabane Sutu has hailed Veselin Jelusic for installing a new positivity and belief in the national team.

Likuena impressed pundits across the continent after frustrating star-studded Cote d’voire to a goalless draw in the recent 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“I watched the team from the game with Comoros and defensively, we look much more secure. There is a clear idea about being compact defensively and hard to break down,” Sutu said.

“I think with more time, the coaching staff will now implement ways we can hurt the opposition once we win the ball. I think he needs to maintain the same structure but set up our line of confrontation 15-20 metres higher, so we can transition a lot quicker.”

Sutu, who has been working as a golakeeper coach for several clubs in the United States of America, admitted that there is a lot of work to be done, but is happy with the progress made after watching the recent matches against Comoros and Cote d’voire.

“In the recent games, we were too deep when we regain the ball and our forwards are isolated, they can’t keep the ball. That’s why we spend so much time pinned in and defending a lot. But I like what I have seen so far,” he stated.

The retired goalminder, who earned a big move to Al Ahly after impressing while playing for now defunct Arsenal against the Egyptian giants in the then CAF Winners Cup, believes current Likuena goalkeeper, Sekhoane Moerane deserves a move to bigger league after his heroics against Cote d’voire.

“Our goalkeeper was very good against Cote d’voire. Yes, he’s got to go out of the country and try his luck. Otherwise, we all know the outcome,” Sutu said

“I like the kid a lot. I would change a few things though in how he sets. He gets too low, with his hands also too low, thereby becoming vulnerable to shots over his head. But I do like the kid a lot. He’s lively, he’s brave, he’s quick and he distributes and strikes the ball very, very well.”