Provisional squad for Rugby Africa qualifiers

MASERU – The national rugby sevens team has started its preparations for the Rugby Africa Pre-Olympic Qualifiers set for June in Mauritius.

Lesotho is led by head coach Morapeli Motaung and he has selected a provisional 15-man squad for preparations.

Motaung said he will make further additions to the group in the coming weeks to widen his selection pool before trimming the squad down to a final list of 12 players that will travel to Mauritius.

Lesotho has been drawn in Pool B of the Pre-Olympic Qualifiers along with hosts Mauritius, Botswana as well as Algeria and speaking to thepost yesterday, Motaung had no complaints about the draw.

“It’s not a bad draw really because if you look at the teams, we have played against Mauritius and Botswana before. We have not played (against) Algeria but I don’t think it’s too bad for us,” he said.

Motaung said the team is hoping to play a few friendly matches in South Africa and to compete in some competitions before travelling to Mauritius, but that will depend on finances.

In the meantime, the players available have started training.

“We have just started, of course players are still a bit scared because they know some will be left out,” Motaung said.

“When we select players, we look at the opposition and how they play,” he added. “Body size does matter but it should be accompanied by pace and technical ability as well.”

The Rugby Africa Pre-Olympic Qualifiers are the first step towards possible qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and it is not the first time Lesotho gets the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Olympics.

In 2018, the sevens team came agonisingly close to making it into the final round of Africa qualifying but fell in the final of the preliminary tournament, losing 15-5 to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lesotho sevens squad:
Sekhohola Phate, Sechaba Mokhele, Bokang Ncheke, Mamello Makoanyane, Tumelo Thokoa, Lebatla Lebatla, Lebohang Ntšinyi, Tlotliso Motšeremeli, Bakuena Nkesi, Karabo Mphaki, Kubutu Makhakhe, Bokang Tšiu, Keketso Sejake, Paul Marie and Napo Mashapha

Technical team:
Morapeli Motaung, Relebohile Lethale, Semethe Mosoeu and Reatile Joele.

Tlalane Phahla