The Lesotho National U-17 team, Bahlabani, and the U-20 team, Makoanyane XI, are set to host a series of friendly matches against Mozambique as they prepare for their upcoming COSAFA campaigns. The matches will take place on Saturday, 21st September and Sunday, September 22nd at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.
Mozambique’s U-17 and U-20 teams arrived in Lesotho on Friday evening and will kick off their tour with a friendly against Bahlabani on Saturday. The following day, Makoanyane XI will face Mozambique’s U-20 side. Both matches are critical for the teams as they finalize preparations before heading to Maputo for the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA Qualifiers.
The Makoanyane XI, under the guidance of head coach Halemakale Mahlaha, will depart for the regional qualifiers on Tuesday, 24th September. They were drawn into Group C alongside South Africa, Malawi, and Comoros. The top teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, and the finalists will secure a place in next year’s CAF U-20 AFCON.
Similarly, Bahlabani will compete in Group A, facing off against hosts Mozambique, Malawi, and Angola in the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA qualifiers.
Despite a challenging recent performance, having lost two friendlies against South Africa’s Amajita last month, Makoanyane XI has shown promise. Coach Mahlaha noted that while the team struggled with fitness, their technical skills and cohesion on the field were commendable.
As the Makoanyane XI prepares for their match on Sunday, they will do so without three key players from Matlama FC; Nyolohelo Mahloane, Leduma Mofoka, and Malefetsane Taamako who will be participating in a separate fixture playing for Matlama FC against Manonyane FC. Only Matlama head coach Halemakale Mahlaha will absent as he will be on National team duty. Assistant coach Mosito Matela will step in for Mahlaha during this critical period.
The matches are open to the public, with free entrance for spectators. Bahlabani will take the field against Mozambique at 3 PM on Saturday, followed by Makoanyane XI’s match on Sunday at the same time. These friendlies mark an important step for both teams as they aim to build momentum ahead of the qualifiers in Mozambique.
