Moorosi Tsiane
LIKUENA made a promising start to its 2022 World Cup preliminary qualifiers holding Ethiopia nil-all away in Bahir Dar yesterday afternoon.
The Thabo Senong-coached outfit had a solid game plan going into the tie as they aim to book a spot in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Likuena sat back and tried to catch their opponents on the breaks a game plan which worked for them as the home side kept on dominating possession but at the same time failed to hurt their visitors.
On the other hand, Likuena created some goal scoring chances but were let down by their poor execution and decision-making in the attacking third.
The Walias, as Ethiopian national side is affectionately known, failed to break the Likuena defence as the match went for the break without goals.
Lesotho suffered a blow in the opening of the second stanza as they had to withdraw defender Motlomelo Mkhwanazi replacing him with Nkau Lerotholi due to an injury.
As the game progressed, Tswarelo Bereng was introduced for Lehlohonolo Fothoane as Lesotho tried to take control of the match.
Motebang Sera was also introduced in place of a weary Tšepo Seturumane in the dying minutes of the match as the visitors searched for a goal.
The two sides meet at Setsoto Stadium on Sunday where Likuena will be desperate to keep a clean sheet in the must win tie.
Should the match end goalless, they will go straight to the penalties while a one-all draw or any draw with goals will see Ethiopian advancing on away goals’ rule.
