Lesotho coach Notsil warns players ahead of Ghana clash

Published on: 31 May 2012

Lesotho national team coach Leslie NotÃ…¡i has warned his charges that they will have to up their game if they are to beat Ghana in their own backyard on Friday.

The two sides clash in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Likuena will have to do battle without star man Bokang “Lefty” Mothoana who is on suspension.

Mothoana has accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches and is therefore suspended for the Ghana game.

Also set to miss the match against the Black Stars is Botswana-based striker Lehlomela Ramabele.

The Matsieng-born forward will be attending the burial of a family member on Saturday.

Ramabele was the scorer of the all-important single goal in the preliminary round first leg match 1-0 win over Burundi at Setsoto Stadium in November last year.

The versatile Mothoana is the star man in the team; he scored directly from a corner kick in Likuena’s second leg draw in Bujumbura to hand Lesotho a 3-2 aggregate win.

However, the duo will be available for Likuena’s match against Sudan scheduled for Setsoto Stadium on June 10.

NotÃ…¡i told the Lesotho Times that the absence of Ramabele and Mothoana is already giving him sleepless nights.

“We all know that the two players are key members of the squad and we will miss their services against the Black Stars,” he said.

“Ghana is never an easy team to play against, especially in their own backyard, but I’m confident that we will give them a run for their money,” he added.

Likuena always rise to the occasion against big teams such as Ghana and Notsi believes in his boys because football is a game of surprises.

“I believe a draw will be a very good result for us. I have realised that Ghana have put more focus on the Zambia game whom they play a week later,” he said.

Notsi noted that he was aware that they go into tomorrow’s game as underdogs which might work to their advantage.

Meanwhile, first choice goalkeeper Mohau Kuenane said last week’s 3-0 loss to Botswana was a wake-up call to the team.

“We looked rusty in that match while they looked hungry and were the better side on the day,” said the goal minder.

“I felt that we needed to play one or two more friendly matches before (tomorrow’s) crucial World Cup game but unfortunately time is no longer on our side,” Kuenane said.

Likuena will now have to double their efforts against Ghana.

“There will be no room for silly mistakes. We will have to fight and concentrate for the whole 90 minutes of the game,” said the Lioli goalkeeper.

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