By Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Former national team coach, Leslie Notši, has said he is happy with his progress since joining South African First Division side United Football Club early this year.
Notši was speaking to the Lesotho Times following his team’s 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend — United’s fourth win since the former Likuena took charge in January.
In addition to the four wins, United have also drawn and lost two league matches and now occupy sixth-position on the 16-team table.
He joined the team when they were in 10th spot.
“What I can tell you is, it has been a very challenging journey. This league is very competitive as most of the teams have very experienced players and coaches,” said Notši.
“It is never easy when you join a team in the middle of the season, but my experience with the Lesotho national teams has really come handy to help me face these challenges.
“Although I have been with the team for three months now, I’m still adapting to club football where you play a match almost after every three days. This is unlike the national team where you have a match after three months, at least.”
The 49-year-old coach also said the standard of the league is very high and business-oriented, unlike in Lesotho where football is still amateurish.
Asked about United’s chances of gaining promotion to the Premier League next season, Notši, whose team trail log-leaders Chippa United and second-placed Black Leopards by 13 and six points respectively, said: “The target, at least, is to fight for a promotional playoff spot, which is not far away from us. It will be a great achievement for me and the team as a whole, if we can qualify for the playoffs.”
However, Notši, who also coached Lioli and Matlama back home, said he was already preparing for next season, where he hopes to challenge for a Premiership promotion from the word go, should United fail to make it to the topflight league this season.
On his team’s major strengths and weaknesses, Notši said: “We have been inconsistent, which is very worrying.
“But on the positive side, our striker Mbulelo Wambi, is third on the league’s goal-scoring chats.”
