Mikia Kalati
LIKUENA coach, Moses Maliehe is confident his side has what it takes to win their last Group L match against Cape Verde to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Maliehe’s side soared to second position in their group on Sunday after beating Tanzania 1-0 at Setsoto Stadium courtesy of a late Nkau Lerotholi goal.
Likuena are second with five points along the Taifa Stars while Uganda are already guaranteed a place in the tournament to be played in Cameroon beating Cape Verde on Saturday to qualify with 13 points.
“Even before the first game, I talked about this group being so open that all four teams had a solid chance to qualify,” Maliehe said after the Sunday match.
“Now the remaining three countries are all still in the run to qualify as the runners up behind Uganda who have already qualified.”
The Likuena mentor said he is aware that his charges will have to dig deep when they make the trip to Cape Verde in March next year. The two countries drew nil all in August this year at Setsoto Stadium.
“It will not be an easy game, especially being an away game but we will prepare much better than we did for the game with Tanzania.
“We were without some of our players for the Tanzania game among them Nkoto Masoabi and first choice goalkeeper Likano Mphuthi but I think their replacements were up to the task.
“I’m happy for my boys and I think we will make a comeback in Cape Verde although it will not be an easy game.
“It was a fair result in the end because Tanzania had their chances and we also had ours. Looking at the game, it was end to end,” he said.
Maliehe admitted that his side missed a lot of chances in the first half and had to change the gear in the second period.
“At the interval we talked and reminded the boys that Tanzania needed a draw and we needed a win.
“The players were frustrated at half time but I had to calm them down and told them that the chances will come again in the second half.
“It was small chance and we scored from a corner kick. I must congratulate my boys and Basotho, who came in numbers to support the team.
“We were desperate for this win and looking at the players, they wanted it more.
“If we didn’t double our efforts, we wouldn’t have won this match,” Maliehe said.
