Lesotho’s reigning champions, Lioli FC, have touched down in Namibia to take part in the much-anticipated 4-teams CAF Champions League pre-season tournament, hosted by Namibian champions African Stars FC. The event, staged at Independence Stadium in Windhoek from 23–24 August 2025, has already set the stage for a thrilling showcase of African club football. On arrival, Lioli wasted no time and headed straight to the SKW Stadium for their first training session, where head coach Mr. Bongani Maseko began fine-tuning tactics and assessing his squad ahead of their continental campaign.
The draw placed Lioli FC against AS Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while African Stars locked horns with Angolan powerhouse Petro Atlético de Luanda in the other semi-final fixture. The winners advanced to the final, while the losing teams contest the third-place playoff today on Sunday, 24 August.For Coach Maseko, the tournament serves more than just competitive football. It is a chance to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of his side before their daunting CAF Champions League Preliminary Round clash against South African giants Orlando Pirates, set for September 2025.
Lioli head into this continental build-up boosted by their domestic success. The club recently captured the 2024–25 Lesotho Premier League title, their seventh overall and second in a row, cementing their dominance at home. However, competing against Africa’s top sides is no small task.
This pre-season championship boasts a truly elite field, featuring nothing but domestic champions from across the continent:
* Petro Atlético de Luanda – Angola’s champions
* Young Africans SC – Tanzanian champions
* AS Maniema – DR Congo’s champions
* Lioli FC – Lesotho’s champions
For Namibian football fans, the tournament has brought together a rare spectacle of Africa’s finest club champions on home soil. And for Lioli FC, it is a priceless opportunity to measure themselves against the very best and to sharpen their readiness for the battles that lie ahead in continental football.
Lioli FC Kick Off Pre-Season in Namibia Against Continental Champions
