Leemisa Thuseho
SENIOR Rugby Sevens national men’s and women’s teams are set to depart for South Africa today for the 2025 Africa Khan’sicala Rugby Sevens tournament.
The competition, scheduled for 12–13 December at Kamhlushwa Stadium in Mpumalanga, will feature teams from Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique and South Africa.
Lesotho last hosted the rotational tournament in 2023, where the local men’s team were crowned champions.
Men’s team coach, Morapeli Motaung, said they have been preparing for the past three weeks and the players are ready. However, he lamented the lack of government support.
“The government should understand the importance of investing in sports, as that can reduce the high rate of unemployment,” Mr Motaung said.
To make the trip possible, the Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) had to mobilise its own funds and secure support from sponsors, including Econet Telecom Lesotho.
“We are ready despite the limited support we get from the government,” Mr Motaung added during the team’s send-off ceremony yesterday at the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) premises.
Women’s team coach, Palesa Pitso, said her charges are in good shape and she is confident they will lift both the rugby and national flags high.
“We have done our part as coaches; it is now time for the players to deliver,” Ms Pitso said.
“But I can promise that the rugby and Lesotho flags will be flying high at the games.”
Meanwhile, FLR has announced the appointment of Ronald Doyle, from Ladybrand, South Africa, as Technical Advisor until 2028. Mr Doyle is expected to play a key role in developing coaching and development programmes.
He is the former head of sport at Ladybrand High School and has previously coached the Eastern Free State School Under-16 team and Griffons Platteland rugby teams, among others.
