‘Mamohlakola Letuka
The Lesotho rugby team, Likatola, on Saturday face Botswana in Gaborone in the third of a series of international friendly matches organised by the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR).
The series, which started with a 5-3 win over Swaziland in Maseru and was followed by a 13-0 defeat against the same foes on 25 May in Mbabane, is part of CAR’s efforts to help develop Lesotho rugby, while also testing the country’s readiness for full international recognition.
According to the Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) secretary general, Litšitso Motšeremeli, the team, which left the country yesterday, was in fine shape to beat Botswana and reclaim lost glamour following the 13-0 humbling by the Swazis.
“We had trials last week as we needed to replace three of our players who have been side-lined due to injury.
“The trials were a big success as they included Basotho who are based in South Africa. And not only did we replace the injured players, we also managed to come up with an almost completely new squad altogether for the upcoming tie against Botswana,” Motšeremeli, who is also a member of the team, said.
Motšeremeli further said Likatola or Stallions, played a friendly match against Ficksburg last Saturday away in the Free State, South Africa, to test and give the new
players the much-needed international exposure.
“We lost the game against Ficksburg but gained a lot from it as we realised our weaknesses and mistakes.
“We hope to have rectified these blunders when we take on Botswana on 14 June, and hopefully, come up with a morale-boosting win.”
Motšeremeli, however, warned the match against Botswana would not be easy.
“Although we are ready to face Botswana and have prepared well for the match, we also know it won’t be easy because we will be playing away from home.”
