Leemisa Thuseho
LEHLOENYA Nkhasi has accepted the challenge of leading a national team for the first time in his coaching career after he was this week appointed the Lesotho women’s national team coach.
Nkhasi will lead the team for the upcoming 2020 COSAFA tournament in South Africa next month.
He said he was grateful for the job.
“I am very grateful to be given this opportunity because I know how difficult it is to get such an opportunity,” Nkhasi said.
“I feel that a lot of responsibility has been put onto my shoulders considering the responsibility that awaits me. However, I understand what is required of me and the team. We shall do everything in our power to do well this time around.”
Nkhasi will be assisted by Moroesi Lazaro.
“The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) informs the football fraternity that Lehloenya Nkhasi has been appointed the head coach of the senior women’s national team, Mehalalitoe and he will be assisted by Moroesi Lazaro.
“Both coaches have made a big impact in women’s football and Mr Nkhasi has led LDF Ladies team to three successive Women’s Super League titles as well as the two Top 4 titles. They start with immediately leading the team in the upcoming COSAFA Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth from 3 to 14 November,” LeFA said.
Nkhasi is succeeding his assistant coach at club level, Lire Phiri.
“To be the best, one must test himself at the highest level; we learn every day. COSAFA will be the biggest test of my coaching career.”
Mehalalitoe has already started preparing for COSAFA and Nkhasi said it is challenging to prepare a team for an international tournament after a long break from football. All soccer activities have been on halt since March this year on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic. They were only permitted to resume this month.
“We have only three weeks to prepare them. It is not easy at all but as a coach I need to come up with a proper plan to put them in a better shape.
“I want to get to the last four at COSAFA. From there anything can happen. I don’t want to put myself under pressure but I don’t want to settle for less. I believe in my abilities as a coach and the team we have. I want to instill a winning mentality into the team as well,” added Nkhasi.
The national team has also received a boost after 13 players who have been on an army training since October 2019. He said the technical team was still assessing the players.
Nkhasi also confirmed the availably of the team’s stars; Senate Letsie and Boitumelo Rabale who are plying their trade in the United States of America.
He is currently working with a provisional squad of 30 players which will later be trimmed to 19 for the tournament.
Mehalalitoe is now returning to international competitions, a year after its withdrawal. LeFA suspended the team’s from international competitions to focus on rebuilding it.
