Sundowns star to lead Lesotho’s COSAFA charge

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies star Boitumelo Rabale is set to lead Lesotho’s national women’s team, Mehalalitoe, in their COSAFA Women’s Championship charge, writes Tlalane Phahla.

Mehalalitoe return to the competition after a year of absence as they were regrouping after a disastrous campaign in 2020.

Lesotho have never made it further than the group stages in this competition, and this time around, the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) has roped in a new coach, Pule Khojane.

He has a mammoth task in his hands of trying to be the first to guide the team to the knockout stages.

Khojane spoke held his first press conference on Friday before leaving for Port Elizabeth on Monday and said they are still building the squad. 

They started training in April, and although their friendly games were against clubs in South Africa, Khojane said they have prepared well for the games.

“We started playing friendly matches in May. We played a total of eight games, won five, drew one and lost two. Played against clubs in South Africa were not able to get a national team to play against because teams were busy with AFCON, and some were just not available,” he said.

He believes the experience of Rabale will be important for the team, which has four other South Africa-based stars.

Besides the South Africa-based contingent, the team is dominated by Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Ladies, with four from Kick4Life women and just one from Basetsana United.

“They have the exposure that we don’t have. For example, Boitumelo plays competitions with Sundowns that we do not have. That exposure will help us a lot,” he continued.

“In my experience, there is no easy group. Every group can be hard if you are not prepared. The one we are in, I think it’s one that we are going to struggle, and we will have to work hard and play well,” he stated.

Mehalalitoe will face a familiar opponent in the form of Zambia in their group. These two locked horns in 2020 in the same tournament, and Lesotho was humbled 8-0 in their opening game. It was a one-sided affair and was not even the worst result yet.

Malawi topped it up by putting in nine unanswered goals of their own. Mehalalitoe returned home with tails between their legs and more questions than answers.

In 2021, the association decided not to send the team and start rebuilding it. They even brought in a new technical team.

The tournament starts on August 31, but Mehalalitoe doesn’t play until September 1, when they take on Eswatini.

Mehalalitoe squad for COSAFA Women’s Championship 

Goalkeepers

Mpolokeng Mothomotšoana (LDF Ladies), Boitumelo Nkeane (Inter Madrid), Mamakhabane Makibinyane (Diepkloof Ladies)

Defenders

Mosili Motšoeneng (Royal AM Ladies), Bokang Ntsane, Maqabane Mokhothu, Lerato Mphou, Tšoanelo Leboka, Ntsatsi Khakanyo (all LDF) Thato Sentje, ‘Mathebe Ramphielo (both Kick4Life) 

Midfielders

Boitumelo Rabale (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)), Molemo Mokhothu (Kick4Life), Ntšabeng Pelea, Matšeliso Ntšasa, Mosele Pita, ‘Maseriti’ Mohlolo (LDF Ladies) Kefuoe Makoa (Inter Madrid)

Attackers

Litšeoane Maloro (TUT Ladies), Matšeliso Makutoane (Basetsana United), Nteboheleng Mohoshela (Kick4Life Women), Phuzile Molefe, Nthabeleng Potsane (both LDF Ladies)