Makateng over the moon with Likuena call-up

Inform LDF striker Katleho Makateng is over the moon with the national team call-up after making the Likuena provisional squad made-up of local based players.

Makateng is part of the Leslie Notsi squad that last week commenced with its preparations for the March 2023 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round matches against Seychelles.

The Pitseng born forward has hit the ground running in his first year playing in the Vodacom Premier League and has netted eight goals from 18 games for third placed LDF.

“It’s honour for me to be called and train with the national team. I’m must confess, I had goosebumps on the first day, but the presence of my teammates from LDF made the situation a bit better,” Makateng revealed.

“I worked with coach Notsi during his time as the coach of the Under-20, when we reached the final of COSAFA Under-20 Champions in Zambia in 2017, and that helped as well.”

The 23-year-old is adamant of maintaining the goal-scoring form and put a brave challenge for the golden boot award.

“This are exciting times for me as a player to be in the race for the golden boot. I need to put an extra effort in training to maintain the goal scoring form and make the final squad for the national team,” Makateng said.

“I have been getting a lot of encouragement from the coaches and teammates. That’s the motivation for me to put more work on my football and remain grounded.

“I’m a goal behind the top goal scorer, who is Litṧepe Marabe and is no longer active in the league. I believe I stand a very good chance of winning with the way things are going for me and my team now,” he said.

The LDF forward scored a stunning goal to help LDF salvage a two-all draw against Lioli on Saturday. Before joining LDF, Makateng was playing his football for Litṧilo in the A Division.