MASERU — Likuena kept another clean sheet on Monday night when they held Namibia to a goalless draw in Windhoek.
It was another positive step for the national soccer team since Leslie Notši took over the reins in July.
The draw in Windhoek follows Likuena’s 2-1 win over Botswana on August 30.
Speaking from Namibia on Tuesday, Notši said he was happy with the team’s performance as they had gained some valuable lessons from the match.
“It was very tough, we were satisfied with a few things,” Notši told the Lesotho Times.
“The players are very strong right now. They are a very quick and mobile side and it gave us a chance to measure ourselves against players of that style and ability,” Notši said. “It was very worthwhile coming on this trip.”
The squad which played against Namibia was made up of locally-based players apart from South Africa-based Katleho Moleko.
Likuena will now face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday in Pretoria.
Lesotho’s foreign based contingent will only come into contention after the DRC game because the two friendlies fall outside the Fifa calendar.
Notši said the players’ physical approach to the game against Namibia showed the team’s defence was becoming more solid.
Efforts by the physical trainer hired to work with the side have clearly helped and the improved physicality was in evidence during Monday’s encounter.
One of the goals for Lesotho now is to rebuild its image and status of the team within the Cosafa region and recent results will not have harmed that in no way.
The two matches are part of Likuena’s preparations for the 2014 Fifa World Cup preliminary qualifier against Burundi which will be played over two legs on November 11 and 15.
Namibia have been a tough nut to crack recently and they were in contention to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, a feat they achieved in 2008.
Monday’s match was held in the evening, meaning it was good practice for the home leg against Burundi which will be played under the same conditions at the Setsoto Stadium.
The game was preparation for Namibia as well as they brace themselves for a World Cup qualifier against Djibouti in a fortnight.
Tunisia-based Bokang Mothoana, Botswana based Bushy Moletsane, Lehlomela Ramabele and Litšepe Marabe, and Thapelo Tale who has found his scoring boots with FK Srem in Serbia are set to be called-up.
Perhaps the one area that is still lacking is scoring goals but the signs are positive ahead of the tie with Burundi.
Lesotho has now conceded just twice in four matches against Swaziland, Botswana and Namibia.
Likuena’s record since the start of 2008
(21/05/08)
Mozambique 2-3 Lesotho (friendly)
(23/05/08)
Swaziland 1-1 Lesotho
(08/06/08)
Lesotho 2-3 Ghana (2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier)
(15/06/08)
Lesotho 0-1 Libya (2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier)
(20/06/08) Libya
4-0 Lesotho (2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier)
(28/06/08) Gabon
2-0 Lesotho (2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier)
(20/07/08)
Lesotho 0-1 Malawi (Cosafa Senior Challenge)
(22/07/08)
Lesotho 1-1 Namibia (Cosafa Senior Challenge)
(24/07/08)
Lesotho 1-0 Comoros (Cosafa Senior Challenge)
(30/08/08)
Botswana 1-0 Lesotho
(07/09/08)
Lesotho 0-3 Gabon (2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier)
(11/10/08) Ghana
3-0 Lesotho (2010 World Cup/Afcon qualifier)
(10/12/08)
Botswana 3-0 Lesotho
(01/04/09)
Lesotho 0-0 Botswana
(19/06/09)
Swaziland 1-1 Lesotho
(21/06/09)
Swaziland 1-1 Lesotho
(29/07/09)
Mozambique 3-1 Lesotho
(12/08/09)
Zimbabwe 1-1 Lesotho
(11/09/09)
Malaysia 5-0 Lesotho
(19/10/09)
Zimbabwe 2-2 Lesotho (Cosafa Senior Challenge)
(21/10/09
Mauritius 0-1 Lesotho (Cosafa Senior Challenge)
Under Notši
(20/08/11)
Lesotho 0-0 Swaziland
(22/08/11)
Lesotho 0-1 Swaziland
(30/08/11)
Botswana 1-2 Lesotho
(30/10/11) Namibia 0-0 Lesotho
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