MASERU — The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) has undertaken to have the country represented in Africa’s club competitions next year.
This year LEFA failed to register Premier League winners Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) in the African Champions League.
LCS were not registered in the continent’s premier tournament for national champions because Lesotho does not have a stadium that meets international standards.
Setsoto Stadium, the country’s only football venue with a semblance of international standards, will only be available next year after renovations.
However, LEFA’s acting chief executive officer Mokhosi Mohapi said next year Lesotho will have a representative in the Champions League.
LCS are expected to play either in the Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup regardless of where they finish in the Premier League.
If any team other than LCS win the Premier League and want to play in the Champions League that team will have to face Masheshena in a playoff to decide who goes into what competition.
In case LCS retain the national crown, LEFA will only register Masheshena in the Champions League and forget about the CAF Confederation Cup.
Teams that win their countries’ major knockout tournaments normally take part in the CAF Confederation Cup, previously known as the African Cup Winners Cup.
Lesotho has never been represented in both the Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup at the same time, mainly because of financial constraints.
Mohapi, however, said LEFA would make sure it happened next year if the need arose.
“Last year LEFA said that LCS would represent Lesotho in Africa in 2010 because they had not participated in 2009 and we are not going to renege on that decision,” Mohapi said.
“Lesotho has two slots available for continental competitions but we have always sent just one side for financial reasons.”
Mohapi said he believed Setsoto Stadium will be available by the time of next year’s Africa competitions.
“We didn’t have a stadium to play in (this year) but I’m sure Setsoto will be available (next year),” he said.
“The stadium is almost ready.”
