Mikia Kalati
Makoanyane XI manager, Thabo Pule, is confident Lesotho would advance to the final qualifier of the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations at the expense of Mozambique.
Makoanyane XI drew 1-1 with Mozambique last Saturday in Maputo and the two teams meet in the return leg of the second round qualifier on 12 June.
Whoever wins the tie meets either South Africa or Namibia in the final round of the qualification campaign.
At the end of the qualification phase, seven teams will join hosts Zambia in the continental youth showcase.
“I think we have the advantage following the 1-1 draw away from home,” Pule said.
“What is more important is that we have an away goal, and we have enough time to prepare and finish the job in two weeks’ time.
“We did not play to our strength in the first-leg match which I feel could have been due to stage-fright for some of the players who have not played at this level before.”
The veteran football administrator further said their squad was depleted for the trip because some members of the team were writing examinations.
“Our goal is to qualify for the tournament in Zambia and I think we have what it takes to achieve that goal,” said Pule.
“The team will be boosted by the availability of some of the players who missed the first leg match as they were sitting or preparing for examinations.
“Again, the return leg is going to be easier because we now know them well. In the first match, they were a closed book but we are now aware of what to expect.”
However, Pule has warned the players against complacency.
“Surely, the Mozambicans will not relax knowing that it will be an away game for them. But the same goes for our players as complacency and the advantage of playing at home might later haunt them,” he said.
“We have to be cautions and work hard to win the game in order to go to the next round.”
Mokoanyane XI qualified for the continental youth tournament in 2005 under coach Seephephe Matete and Leslie Notši in 2011.
However, the team could not progress past the group stage at both tournaments.
