MASERU — New Lioli coach Retšelisitsoe Lephaila (pictured) says he has been instructed to win two cup competitions by the club’s national executive committee.
Lephaila, who memorably led Likhopo to the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular crown last season, was hired as Tse Nala boss last week following the departure of Halemakale Mahlaha in March.
In an interview with the Lesotho Times on Saturday Lephaila said his job was to bring silverware to Teyateyaneng.
“I have been given the mandate to win the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular and another cup in the coming season,” Lephaila said.
“In the league I have been instructed to make sure the team finishes in the top four.
“I have also been instructed to oversee the success of the club’s development and that young players are given a chance,” he added.
“The club is from Berea and I have to try my best to see that there are more players from TY in the team.”
Tse Nala began their training sessions in preparation for the new season on Monday.
Lephaila said he will be looking at all the players as they try to come up with a list of 25 players for the coming season.
He said he would be looking at the players’ mentality, attitude and discipline.
“All the players will be given a chance,” Lephaila said.
“I’m an open-minded coach. The players have to be treated with respect. I would say I am an understanding coach but tough on discipline,” Lephaila said.
“There is pressure but I’m here to work.”
The coach’s aim is to get Lioli back to the silky style of football they employed when they won the league title in 2009.
“The team has a culture. We have to go back to that culture, but with discipline. We have to understand that playing well alone is not enough, it should bring results,” Lephaila said.
The new Lioli mentor said he would be looking to address the side’s defence as well as cultivate leadership within the team.
“It’s going to be a tough season for all the teams in the league. We have to start well and I like that challenge,” Lephaila said.
“Lioli is a team that has to be up there and competing for the league (title). There is pressure but I’m here to work.”
Lephaila began his coaching career in 2003 while at school and was the coach of the successful Sefika High School side in the middle of the past decade.
Under him Sefika won the Copa Coca-Cola in 2005 and were runners-up the following year.
Lephaila who is also currently the national schools coach led Lesotho to a bronze medal at the Cosassa Games in Botswana in 2009.
He then moved to Likhopo feeder, Little Flower, in the first division in 2009 before taking the reins at Likhopo at the beginning of last season, leading them to the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular.
