Former Orlando Pirates star Tebogo Moloi has vowed that his Lesotho club Linare will bounce back after a disappointing start on Sunday, writes Tlalane Phahla.
It looked as if Linare had all three points wrapped up on Sunday afternoon after going 2-0 up before halftime against Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).
A goal in the fourth minute from Siyabonga Mkhize shocked the home side, but it was deserved.
Jerry Kamela doubled the visitors’ lead in the 36th minute. At this point, there seemed no way back for the hosts.
It was not just the score line as they outran and outfought their much more fancied opponents in every way possible.
Linare were first to every ball, with Mkhize out wide causing all sorts of problems with his skill and pace.
But LDF midfielder Tšepo Toloane kick-started their comeback with a sublime free kick just outside the box, and Motlatsi Kokoana brought ‘Sohle-Sohle’ level with the last kick of the game.
MOLOI HIGHLIGHTS FITNESS ISSUES
Moloi bemoaned the low fitness level of his players, and they could not hold on until the end.
He said they only started training properly last week, bringing all players based in Maseru and Leribe together.
Moloi added that he believes they will improve the disappointment.
“Only this week did we properly mix half of the guys in Maseru and Leribe, and with the fitness we have, we can only sustain teams for that long. 2-0 is a very dangerous score,” he said.
“A week of togetherness is what we can do, which means we got a great team. We need to fix it.”
“They are a good tactical team and technically as well. I mean, they equalised after they brought in three substitutes, but our preparations are still coming. We gave a good account.
“Everybody is happy we controlled until the last player we brought in. From there, we lost our grip,” he continued.
Moloi says they need to work on their concentration levels, as this happens for the second time now that they concede in the game’s last minutes.
“We shouldn’t take for granted that it is LDF. It is a national defence force team. You have to be constantly fit mentally and physically.
“It tells you that we fought with our hands but will not come here and be sheep to the slaughterhouse.”
He urged his Linare players to improve their concentration and fitness level to ensure they finish strong.
