Lesotho has been drawn in Group C against Seychelles, Namibia and Angola for this year’s Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup. Likuena begin their campaign against Seychelles next Friday in Gqeberha, South Africa, where the championship will be held. Likuena are looking to better last year’s performance when they reached the final but lost 1-0 to Zambia. At the least, the team want to maintain consistency and build on their recent positive performances.
This content is for subscribers only. To subscribe, Click Here. Or Sign In
Likuena head coach Leslie Notši has named his final squad for the regional showpiece that will be staged from June 26 until July 7 in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
Notši has named a similar side to the one that played in the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the team started training on Tuesday.
Notši said making it out of the group stages is not enough and Likuena must show that reaching the final last year was not a fluke.
It is tough draw, however, the Likuena mentor admitted.
“It is a tough draw because when you look at these three countries we are going to play, they all have capabilities and there is no small team, and our feeling is that we respect these games,” Notši underlined.
“We will have few players who are new to the team,” he added.
“When you listen to the (Likuena) supporters, they want their team to win because last year they lost in the final. Some (supporters) say there are players who are now well-known (and) perhaps we should give others a chance.”
Some of those players getting a chance include the likes of youngster Lehlohonolo Matsau and Notši said the COSAFA Cup is a valuable platform in Likuena’s team building process.
“We want to continue because it is important for a team to show growth but, even then, we need to see new or young players coming through to get experience in international games,” Notši explained.
“I believe (the) COSAFA (Cup) gives you such an opportunity, we are going to work on seeing that the team is competitive and also play the way the supporters expect.”
Likuena go into the COSAFA Cup on the back of a good 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round earlier this month where they played two high-profile games.
Likuena beat Zimbabwe and lost to Rwanda to stay in the race to qualify for the World Cup in two years’ time.
There is no time for Likuena to play a friendly match before the COSAFA Cup starts next week but given the calibre of the opponents they faced in the World Cup qualifiers, Notši will feel they have prepared enough.
Now it’s all about putting the finishing touches on the team before jetting out of the country.
Likuena squad:
Goalkeepers
Sekhoane Moerane, Ntsane Molise, Tankiso Chaba
Defenders
Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Fusi Matlabe, Thato Sefuli, Rethabile Mokokoane, Rethabile Rasethuntša, Thabo Matšoele, Thabo Makhele, Thabang Malane
Midfielder
Lisema Lebokollane, Lehlohonolo Matsau, Tšepo Toloane, Tlotliso Phatsisi, Tšepang Sefali, Tumelo Khutlang, Teboho Letsema, Lehlohonolo Fothoane and Tswarelo Bereng
Forwards
Jane Thabantšo, Lemohang Lintša and Motebang Sera
Tlalane Phahla
