Tribute to Notši, Thotanyana (Sports Opinion)
The year 2013 is finally over and we in the world of sports welcome the New Year with fresh hopes for our beautiful Mountain Kingdom
Unfortunately the year has started on a very bad note following the news that Likuena coaching pair of head coach Leslie Notsi and his assistant, Lehlohonolo Thotanyana have left the job to take over the coaching reigns at South African first division side United FC.
Personally, I think for them it is a new and exciting challenge that will surely come with a lot of responsibilities for a club that plays in the highly competitive South Africa first division.
There are also better resources for them after the headaches they have had to experience coaching our national team that has been marred by so many problems off the field over the past three years.
There is no doubt that the coaching pair clearly seemed to be turning the fortunes of our national team around over the past year.
Likuena finished fourth at the senior COSAFA cup tournament that was played in Zambia in July last year ending the tournament as the highest scoring team.
Their great performance also saw a number of our players catching the attention of international scouts.
Likuena were also hard to crack at home as it was the case in the one-all draw against Zambia that seemed to have cost Chipolopolo a place in the 2014 World cup playoffs.
Well, those who have been closer to the team will tell you that the pair and the players have had to work under very unfavourable conditions and I therefore feel that the duo deserves to be given credit for a job well done.
One thing is certain, working as the national team coach needs somebody with a big heart, especially in our country where there is a serious shortage of resources.
The other big problem has been getting Likuena friendly matches as our team seems to only play during Fifa and Caf qualifying matches.
Indeed Likuena had turned a corner in recent months. Their 3-1 win over Sudan in September in their last match of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers was the first for the team in over a decade playing such an important fixture.
I have a lot of sweet experiences working with the two gentlemen and I would like to wish them the best as they begin a new journey with United FC.
Their appointment could also be a blessing in disguise for Lesotho International Litsepe Marabe who has struggled for game time at United.
I also hope that the move will open doors for a few of our players from Likuena who have worked with the two coaches before.
As for who will be the right man to take over the vacant Likuena position, it will take a lot of assessment of the coaches we have in the country.
It is really going to be a tough decision for the Lesotho Football Association to make. But I feel the current Bantu coach Motlatsi Shale has shown his abilities as one of the best coaches we have in the country.
I would also feel it is time we took advantage of Lehlohonolo Seema’s expertise in the team though I doubt his busy schedule at Bloemfontein Celtic would allow him that space.
