By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU
– Senior national team of Lesotho Likuena, return to Lesotho from AFCON Qualifiers on Wednesday, marking a brief significant moment of respite in their relentless pursuit of success on the global stage.
The constant movement and travel of these players is a testament to their skill and determination, as they juggle their commitments to their national team with the demands of their professional careers.
However, for the team’s foreign-based players, this was but a passing break before the temptation of their international clubs motioned once more, underscoring the intrepid nature of their dual commitments to both country and club. The constant travel, widespread destinations, and demanding training schedules reveal not only their extraordinary talents on the pitch but also their unwavering dedication to their skills.
Likuena touching down on home soil on Wednesday, marks the end of their opening round of matches in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup Nations. The Lesotho footballing stars faced fierce competition from Central African Republic and Morocco in these early fixtures, providing a sight into the high-stakes world of international football.
Likuena’s arrival back home, indicating the close of their initial Africa Cup Nations encounters, is a key moment for both the team and their passionate followers in Lesotho. While their rough fixtures against Central African Republic and Morocco tested the bravery of Lesotho’s footballing heroes, the team’s return provides a timely opportunity for reflection and analysis of their performance, serving as a launch-pad for future success in the tournament.
The significance of Likuena’s homecoming cannot be overstated, both for the players themselves and for their devoted supporters in Lesotho. The end of the Initial Africa Cup Nations matches marks a crucial turning point in Likuena’s ongoing quest for continental glory. The return of the players to their home country offers a chance to regroup, reassess, and reflect on their performance in the face of stern competition from Central African Republic and Morocco.
The team’s experiences in these early fixtures will serve as a valuable learning opportunity, informing their future tactics, strategies, and overall approach to the tournament. Their return to Lesotho after their difficultly in African campaign was a multi-faceted journey marked by a sense of solidarity and individual endeavour.
The team, consisting of both locally-based players and those playing abroad, arrived in Southern Africa via Egypt, with the former boarding buses back to Maseru while the latter continued their travels to the lively OR Tambo International Airport.
This split in transportation methods reflected the unique nature of the players’ commitments to Likuena and their respective clubs, illustrating the complex and sometimes disparate worlds they inhabit as international footballers.
The journey home, the Lesotho national men team, was a tale of duality, where the threads of camaraderie and individuality wove together to form a rich tapestry of experience.
As Likuena’s contingent dispersed back to their respective professional lives, two members of the team, Motebang Sera and Thabo Makhele, made speed to re-join their clubs in the coveted Premier Soccer League of South Africa, Royal AM and Chippa United, respectively.
The urgency of their return reflects the looming start of a new Betway League season, a testament to the non-stop schedule and high stakes of the beautiful game.
As Likuena’s players scattered across Southern Africa, their return marked a veritable crossroads of aspirations and commitments. Motebang Sera and Thabo Makhele, two of Lesotho’s premier exports, raced to reunite with their teams in the glitzy Premier Soccer LeagueThe hustle and bustle of their return underscores the relentless nature of professional football, where seasons blend seamlessly into one another, demanding an unwavering dedication to club and country.
Likuena’s return to Lesotho after a gruelling Africa Cup Nations campaign is emblematic of the rich and complex world of international football. The players’ divergent paths, from locally-based stars to overseas professionals, reflect the diverse nature of their commitments, mirroring the shifting sands of the sport. Yet, as they disperse, their journeys home also encapsulate the essence of camaraderie and individual endeavours that make up the fabric of football, illuminating the intricate web of experiences and aspirations that bind these talented athletes together.