LCS get Champions League slot

MASERU –– The conundrum over who will represent Lesotho in next year’s CAF Champions League is virtually over, the Lesotho Times can reveal. LCS have finally received an official confirmation letter from the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) verifying Masheshena’s participation in the 2010 edition of the tournament. “We received the letter on Tuesday and as far we are concerned this is the end of the story,” LCS general secretary Lehlohonolo Matlosa said yesterday. Masheshena, who finished third in the league last season, had been going head-to-head with 2008/09 league champions Lioli for Lesotho’s solitary slot at the Champions League. Lesotho had no representatives in the 2009 tournament after LCS, league winners in 2007/08, were not registered because of the absence of an international standard stadium in the country and the lack of funds to relocate Masheshena’s home games to neighbouring South Africa. LCS were instead assured a place in the 2010 edition by LEFA irrespective of the side’s final league placing last season. However following Lioli’s championship triumph in May a titanic squabble ensued with the Teyateyaneng outfit arguing their right, as the country’s champions, to represent Lesotho in the Champions League. And even though the issue was seemingly resolved last month when LEFA finally backed LCS, uncertainty remained over Masheshena’s participation as they had not yet been furnished with a confirmation letter from LEFA. Furthermore, Lioli remained in a defiant mood claiming irregularities in the decision to support LCS. The confirmation letter will come as a relief to Masheshena. And Matlosa said it didn’t bother LCS that they would enter the MASERU –– The conundrum over who will represent Lesotho in next year’s CAF Champions League is virtually over, the Lesotho Times can reveal. LCS have finally received an official confirmation letter from the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) verifying Masheshena’s participation in the 2010 edition of the tournament. “We received the letter on Tuesday and as far we are concerned this is the end of the story,” LCS general secretary Lehlohonolo Matlosa said yesterday. Masheshena, who finished third in the league last season, had been going head-to-head with 2008/09 league champions Lioli for Lesotho’s solitary slot at the Champions League. Lesotho had no representatives in the 2009 tournament after LCS, league winners in 2007/08, were not registered because of the absence of an international standard stadium in the country and the lack of funds to relocate Masheshena’s home games to neighbouring South Africa. LCS were instead assured a place in the 2010 edition by LEFA irrespective of the side’s final league placing last season. However following Lioli’s championship triumph in May a titanic squabble ensued with the Teyateyaneng outfit arguing their right, as the country’s champions, to represent Lesotho in the Champions League. And even though the issue was seemingly resolved last month when LEFA finally backed LCS, uncertainty remained over Masheshena’s participation as they had not yet been furnished with a confirmation letter from LEFA. Furthermore, Lioli remained in a defiant mood claiming irregularities in the decision to support LCS. The confirmation letter will come as a relief to Masheshena. And Matlosa said it didn’t bother LCS that they would enter the Africa’s showpiece without the tag of Lesotho’s champions. “No it doesn’t bother us, we deserved to go to the Champions League this year and I’m glad that LEFA have upheld their decision to,” Matlosa said. What will bother LCS though is the availability of the Setsoto Stadium which is only expected to be ready for action in April at the earliest. “That is something I’m asking myself personally, but at least we have received this confirmation on time and we can start making plans for the tournament,” Matlosa said. The deadline for Champions League registration is November 30 while the tournament proper will start in February next year. Africa’s showpiece without the tag of Lesotho’s champions. “No it doesn’t bother us, we deserved to go to the Champions League this year and I’m glad that LEFA have upheld their decision to,” Matlosa said. What will bother LCS though is the availability of the Setsoto Stadium which is only expected to be ready for action in April at the earliest. “That is something I’m asking myself personally, but at least we have received this confirmation on time and we can start making plans for the tournament,” Matlosa said. The deadline for Champions League registration is November 30 while the tournament proper will start in February next year.