Mikia Kalati
LIKUENA coach, Moses Maliehe, says he will continue with preparations for the national football team’s upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers while waiting for a Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) decision on whether or not to renew his contract which has since expired.
LeFA Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, last week told the Lesotho Times that Maliehe was out of contract as of this year and the two parties were yet to discuss the way forward.
Mohapi also said they had however, mandated Maliehe to continue with preparations for the AFCON qualifiers which will see Likuena take on Cape Verde and Uganda later this year.
And in an interview with the Lesotho Times this week, Maliehe said, “You will never know what is in their minds but I will wait for the association to come back to me about the contract”.
“I will continue with my duties while I wait for them.”
Maliehe led Lesotho to the quarterfinal of the regional COSAFA Cup in Namibia in 2016 and last year the team went a step further to reach the semi-final in South Africa.
Lesotho is currently second in Group L in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers on a point from an away draw away to Tanzania.
The group also consists of Uganda and Cape Verde. The latter are Likuena’s next opponents.
Maliehe said he was scouting for more players to strengthen the national team after an impressive 2017 where they ended the year with a 1-0 win over hoodoo side Zimbabwe in a friendly and a 1-all draw away to Malawi.
The qualifiers were due to be played in March but have since been postponed to a later date in order to allow the five African countries that will represent the continent at this year’s World Cup in Russia more time to prepare.
“The qualifiers have been postponed but it’s a chance for us to improve our squad.
“I returned home in time for the match between Matlama and Lioli after a trip to South Africa where there is Tswarelo Bereng who plays for Chippa United. He is eligible to represent Lesotho.
“I met and talked with his parents and he has agree to play for Lesotho. Players who play in the professional ranks will improve our team,” Maliehe said.
