Lesotho Prepares to Meet Hoodoo Team Botswana in CAF Youth Tourney

Lesotho gets another chance to redeem itself from the shame national soccer brought on to the country, with two national soccer sides loosing to the Batswana on consecutive times. The national under 17 side, Bahlabani are to meet their Botswana counterparts in the VI Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Youth Championships Gaborone on June 25 with the return leg a fortnight later at home.

Bahlabani coach, Leslie Nots'i said in an interview with the Lesotho News Agency (LENA) that the team, made up of players scouted from all over the country, was expected to assemble at Bambatha Ts'ita Sports Arena from May 8, where they would begin training for the encounter. They hope to play at least one international friendly match against an Eastern Free State side in preparation for the Botswana encounter. 

The completely overhauled, new look side boasts players with an average age of 16 years, with some already plying their trade in the elite league, the coach said, adding however that they were faced with the difficult task of trimming the squad of 30 players down to the official 18, though they would retain two players on standby until their departure for Botswana on June 22.

The Under 17s have already played against local premier side Lioli's reserve side and won 2-0 as part of their preparations for the tournament, Leslie said.

The finals of the VI CAF youth tournament will be held in the Gambia next year.

Meanwhile, the Buddie Premier League season ended on a high note during the June 5 to 6 weekend with the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) becoming the new league champions, ending the season with 62 points and the Lesotho Prisons Service (LPS) runners up at 60 points. Last year's champions, Matlama are positioned at third spot also with 60 points.

The fourth team in the final will be Linare, who beat another team from the northern districts, Lioli, by virtue of a higher goal difference.

 08 June 2004