Local under-23 football side will raid Botswana counterparts in the preliminary All Africa games to be staged in Gaborone Botswana on Saturday 06 July,2002. The team left on Monday 01 July,2002 and is expected to return immediately after the match.

In an interview, the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) Spokesperson, Mr.Thabo Pule, said despite having assembled last week Monday, he is confident that the team would do well. Mr. Pule said, “The under-23 side consists of quality players like Paballo Mpakanyane, Kutlisiso Nthonyane as well as up and coming youngsters, who are determined to reach greater heights in the sport.”

The eighth All Africa Games will be staged in Nigeria next year. Meanwhile, another local national squad, Bahlabani  (Under 17) is training twice a day in an attempt to rectify mistakes, which surfaced during the African Youth championship clash against Namibia last Sunday(30June, 2002) where the two teams ended on a stalemate of 0 -0.

 Bahlabani’s Team Manager, Mr.Pule said they are determined to qualify for the next stage of this continental showpiece. He said, the goalless draw the team got against Namibia is “water under the bridge”, saying they are going to start all over again to redeem their dented image. Mr.Pule stressed that they have the beating of Namibia if they could sharpen striking force and approach the match positively.

 On the other hand Namibia coach, Mr. David Snewe was also positive that his side would win the return leg in Windhoek on July 13\2002. He said that they had come here for a draw and stated that his charges were cautious not to concede a goal and they managed to do it.

The overall winner between these two sides will play Angola in the next round of the competition whose finals will be hosted by Swaziland next year.

3 JULY,2002