Under the new Castle Cup format, the tournament is played in group stages instead of at home and away, which the organisers believe will reduce expenses. Previously the draw was made in November the preceding year.

Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) chief executive officer Kholoang Mokalanyane is however  not happy about being drawn in Group C. He believes the draw is going to disrupt Likuena's training programme as it had anticipated playing in the first Group whose games begin at the end of this month.

This means rescheduling the whole programme leading to the tournament in four months' time. On the bright side, however, they have enough time to prepare for their opponents whom they will also have time to study properly.

Competition in the grouping would be a bit stiff and needs commitment from the players, technical staff, the Association as well as the support of  all Basotho.

The team will still start camp on February 7 and play Uganda in an international friendly at home on February 19. Uganda, preparing for an African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifier match against South Africa in March, is likely to give them very good practice, he said. 

Before the Uganda match, arrangements are underway for Likuena to play Namibia, also  preparing for the same COSAFA tournament.  The venue and date for the encounter will depend on the Namibians' response.

The other two groups will see Mauritius hosting South Africa, Madagascar and new comers Seychelles on February 26 and 27 while in Group B Namibia will host Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The winner from each group of three will join the reigning COSAFA Castle cup champions Angola in a four nations final to be played in August this year at a venue still to be announced.

 Likuena reached the finals in 2000 after sidelining the likes of two time champions Zambia and Angola. They have since failed to go beyond the second round of the competition.

01 February 2005