Mothae thrilled with the Likuena opportunity

Lesotho Correctional Service defender Refiloe Mothae is thrilled to have made the Likuena final squad for the first time ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary  round tie against Seychelles.

The 30-year-old defender stated that he has been patiently waiting for his chance having made the provisional list several times in recent years, but failing to make the cut for the final squad.

Mothae is among new faces in the Likuena squad, who will be looking to win their first caps for the first leg match at the Cote D’OR Stadium on Wednesday.

“It’s every player’s dream to play for the national team, but the most important thing is to wait for your time because coaches as they come and go have different preferences,” the defender said.

“What matters is for one to be ready when his times come, and that opportunity has presented itself now and my focus is to help the team do well in the two matches against Seychelles.”

Mothae, who has been playing for the Correctional Service outfit since 2014, said seeing his teammates getting call ups to the national team throughout the years kept him motivated that his chance will also come.

“The competition to be in the final squad has always been tough, but I knewthat if I kept working hard, I will finally make it,” Mothae said.

“I never gave up on the dream to represent my country and seeing my teammates getting call-ups kept me motivated. All I needed to do was to remain grounded and work hard on improving as a player.

“Our focus as the team is on the two matches. It will be a proud moment for all of us to win the tie and progress to the next round of the qualifiers,” he said.