Mikia Kalati
LIOLI will have to overcome a tough week marred by off the field issues when they troop into Setsoto Stadium for their big match against Zimbabwe’s Caps United on Saturday.
The Vodacom Premier League champions were supposed to have gone into camp at the Bambatha Tšita Arena in Maseru on Sunday as part of the sponsorship by the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) to prepare for their CAF Champions League game but did not do so due to squabbles with the mother body.
LeFA have previously stated they would not bankroll the participation of the Lioli trio of Kopano Tseka, Tšepo Seturumane and Tšepo Lekhooana as punishment for the players’ failure to report for the national team camp in December last year.
The two parties have had meetings but had not found a solution to the impasse by Tuesday.
This could impact negatively on Lioli come match day, a scenario which the Lioli technical team could avert by taking extra measures to ensure their players are physically and psychologically prepared.
I think there is more to the LeFA-Lioli debacle beyond football issues, but whatever the cause, it is very sad for the beautiful game.
Squabbles aside, Caps United will be a different test to what Lioli are used to in domestic football.
Halemakale Mahlaha and his technical team must ensure that the side do well in the first leg because we all know that our away performances have been the Achilles Heel of our clubs in international football.
Lioli have a good team all round though they have their work cut out considering that football has been on a rise in Zimbabwe in recent years and I expect to see a very good Caps United side.
The fact that their national team recently played at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon says it all about the standards of the beautiful game in Zimbabwe.
Lioli have two experienced goalkeepers in Mohau Kuenane and Liteboho Mokhehle.
Kuenane has played international football for a very long time at both club and national team level though he recently made a comeback after a long time on the side-lines due to an injury and it looks like Mahlaha will continue with Mokhehle as his first choice.
The one department that is not as strong as it was last season is the defence. The departure of Basia Makepe now at LMPS has really left a huge gap in the heart of the back four.
Makepe had formed a strong centre-back pairing with Kopano Tseka who must work on a new partnership.
The midfield is Lioli’s strongest department and it should come to the party against the Zimbabwean outfit.
The likes of Bushy Moletsane, Motlalepula Mofolo and Tšoanelo Koetle have years of experience in international football and will have to show that on Saturday.
There are also the likes of Jerry Kamele who has been a consistent campaigner over the years along with the talented Seturumane who on his day can single-handedly win a game.
All in all, Tse Nala must come to the party on Saturday and make home advantage count to make life easier in the second leg in Zimbabwe in a fortnight.
All the best to Lioli. The country is behind you!
