Mikia Kalati
SOUTH Africa based Likuena striker Nkoto Masoabi is delighted to be back in action after two months on the side-lines nursing a hamstring injury.
The 2017/18 Econet Premier League top goal scorer made his first start in over two months for National First Division side (NFD), Real Kings in the 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy in Mpumalanga on Sunday.
Masoabi has netted just once since joining Kings after an impressive campaign with Kick4Life, where he netted 16 goals to walk away with the golden boot award in the 2017/18 season.
“I feel good at the moment but it takes time for one to be at his best after a long lay-off with an injury,” Masoabi told the Lesotho Times.
“I’m slowly being introduced back into the game playing about 45-60 minutes in the matches that I have played since coming back.”
Real Kings are at the bottom of the of the 16-team NFD league but Masoabi is confident his team will avoid the chop as they are separated by just a few points with the teams above them.
“Yes, we lost 1-0 in our last match though I feel we were the better team on the day. We lost a lot of chances that could have won us the three points but it was not to be at the end of the day. Our opponents had just one chance and they scored.
“We are on 18 points now while the team above us is on 19 points. For me, this shows that we have a very good chance of surviving.
“All we need to do is to win two or three matches and we will be among the top seven teams because the difference with teams above us is just a few points.
“I feel we have a very good chance of surviving. The team has been playing well though results have not been coming our way. We can turn it around with just one victory,” Masoabi said.
The lanky striker, who has been named in Moses Maliehe squad for March 2019 Africa Cup of Nations against Cape Verde, believes he will be in good shape for the crucial clash with the Blue Sharks if he continues to play at club level.
Likuena can book a spot for the tournament that will be now staged in Egypt with a victory over Cape Verde and will also need already qualified Uganda to beat their neighbours Tanzania in the last matches of Group L.
Uganda leads Group L with 13 games after five games while Likuena are second with five points after the same number of games.
Tanzania are third also on five points while Cape Verde are at the bottom with four points.
All the three countries have a chance of joining already qualified Uganda for this year’s continental tournament heading into the last round of matches of the group in March.
“I believe I will be in good shape for that game, all I need is to continue playing and regain my confidence.
“I have now fully settled here in South Africa and I’m now familiar with all the surroundings as well as my teammates,” Masoabi said.
