MASERU — Former Likuena captain Lehlohonolo Seema has been ruled out of the national team’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Burundi next month after he failed to recover from an injury.
Likuena team manager Khiba Mohoanyane told the Lesotho Times this week that Seema had failed to recover from the injury that has haunted him over the past two seasons.
Lesotho will take on Burundi in a do-or-die encounter at Setsoto Stadium on November 11.
“Seema will not be part of the team because he is still nursing an injury,” Mohoanyane said on Tuesday.
He said Seema was the only big name to be ruled out of the tie due to injury adding that there were no other injury worries within the squad.
The 31-year-old defender has been out of action since 2009 because of injuries.
There was however hope this time that Seema would recover in time to help Likuena negotiate a tricky tie against the Burundians.
“All other internationals — Bushy Moletsane, Litsepe Marabe, Lehlomela Ramabele, Bokang Mothoana, Thapelo Tale and Katleho Moleko — will make up the 22-man squad,” Mohoanyane said.
Mohoanyane said the six internationals are expected to join camp on October 17 at Bambata Tšita arena.
“We hope to start a full-time training camp on October 17 and, hopefully, all of them will be here to start training with the rest of the team,” he said.
Seema’s international career has been on a free-fall since 2009 as injuries continued to plague his promising career.
He was last season transferred to Mpumalanga Black Aces on loan but was released back to his parent club, Orlando Pirates, owing to persistent injuries.
Seema is still with the Soweto giants but his future looks bleak as he has not featured in any match since the season began in August.
Meanwhile, Likuena are set to play two international friendly matches against Namibia this month as the team steps up preparations for the World Cup qualifying tie.
“We will be playing two practice matches against Namibia on October 29 and 31 in Namibia as part of our preparations for the Burundi game,” Mohoanyane said.
“The matches with Namibia have been in the pipeline for a long time but we only secured the dates last Friday.”
Lesotho is still to qualify for any major football tournament such as the World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations.
