Letete says Lesotho lacks quality players
FORMER premier league chairman Tlholo Letete believes dismissing interim national team coach, Seephephe Matete, is not the answer to the national soccer team ’s woes.
Lesotho lost two of their three Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Group B matches against Madagascar and Swaziland before beating Tanzania in the final dead-rubber in Rustenburg, South Africa. The two defeats saw Matete’s charges crash out of the regional tournament in the preliminary stage, and would now watch Saturday’s final at Moruleng Stadium from home.
But according to Letete, sacking the veteran mentor would not solve Likuena’s struggles.
“I feel that we will continue to struggle for as long as we fail to have players in foreign leagues,” Letete said.
“Even engaging a foreign coach will not change anything. We need to improve our league and make it professional, or better still, have or players in top leagues in Europe. The bigger part of the problem is the quality of our players, and not necessarily the coach.”
Letete, who watched Likuena’s first two matches at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, was however, full of praise for midfielder Tšoanelo Koetle, who was awarded man-of-the-match awards in the 0-2 loss to Swaziland and 1-0 win over Tanzania.
“Koetle always stands out to be counted. I wish he can get a professional contract outside Lesotho,” said Letete.
According to Letete, it was always going to be difficult to get the best out of the team which represented the country in Rustenburg.
“I think for a coach to shine, he needs quality players and I feel we did not have that in Rustenburg.
“The bigger picture is improving our league. Let us instill a winning mentality in our players and make sure that skill and technique are at the required standard.”