…as Econet Rugby reaches the finals
Leemisa Thuseho
THE stage is set for an epic showdown between Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) side Liqhomane and Lesotho Rugby Academy at the Ha Mabote Police Station Playground on Saturday.
The winner will be crowned Econet Rugby League champions.
This season will produce a new league champion after defending champions Mabote Beavers failed to advance to the final. Beavers had won the league for the past two consecutive seasons.
The champions were denied an opportunity to defend their title by Liqhomane, who edged them 8–5 in a tightly contested semifinal on Saturday.
Rugby Academy, on the other hand, booked their place in the final after a convincing 21–8 victory over Maseru Warriors in the semifinals.
Liqhomane have reached the final in the past two seasons but fell short on both occasions, losing to Beavers.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times ahead of the weekend final, Liqhomane coach Semethe Mosoeu said his team is preparing well for the decisive encounter.
He acknowledged a few minor injuries in the squad but expressed confidence that most players would be fit in time for Saturday’s clash.
“All is well despite some minor injuries, but we are hopeful we will have most of our players available for the final,” Mosoeu told the Lesotho Times.
“We reached the final twice in the past seasons but failed to win the title; therefore, this time around the hunger for victory among the players is very high.”
However, Mosoeu said he is not expecting an easy match against Rugby Academy, whom he described as one of the best-performing teams this season.
“This is going to be a very tough game because both teams’ styles of play are heavily defined by physical dominance,” he said.
Mosoeu added that Liqhomane are in the process of building a youthful squad and expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far.
“This is the team we are building for the future, and there has been huge progress. Making it into the Top 4 and eventually reaching the final is commendable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rugby Academy are eyeing their first-ever league title. Coach Motheo Mokhothu said the key for his players will be to remain focused and execute their game plan effectively.
“Our mission is clear, to win the title,” Mokhothu told the Lesotho Times.
“We are aware that to win the title we have to dig deep, and that can be achieved if we execute our game plan well.
“We have a young squad in terms of age, and they have performed very well throughout the season.”
