Likuena coach Tony Hey will on Friday, June 3, announce the 18 member team to play Malawi in the Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Castle cup in Lusaka, Zambia next Saturday. 

The announcement comes in the wake of the team’s disappointing 3 – 4 loss to Swaziland’s Isihlangu on June 1, which Hey blamed on some of the players not being up to speed. 

'We wanted to give ourselves options in case we sustain injuries against Malawi and replaced a few of the boys who however failed to help us maintain our performance despite dominating the first half,' he said.  

According to LENA, Likuena started the game at a high pace, forcing their opponents to back pedal most of the time and it was not surprising when Thulo Ranchobe scored the first goal in the 20th minute with Refiloe Potse increasing the score to 2-1 after Swaziland had equalised following a poor clearance by Likuena's defence.

Ranchobe made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute after dribbling past a cluster of Swaziland defenders before unleashing a powerful shot. Ranchobe and Lefty Mothoana, both of whom were a thorn in the Isihlangu defence, particularly on corner kicks and free kicks, were replaced after recess. 

Swaziland came out fuming in the second half and scored three beautiful goals through Maxwell Zikalala, Taribo Bhembe and Lwazi Maziya following the first half goal that was scored by Jabulani Dlamini.

The loss puts the German coach, who has however promised to send a spy to the Malawi versus Morocco African Cup of Nation's qualifying match this weekend, under very heavy pressure. 

Likuena play Malawi in the COSAFA Castle Cup next Saturday.

02 June 2005