Dobsonville Stadium could play host to Lesotho champions Matlama in September when they welcome Coton Sport of Cameroon in the preliminary stage of the CAF Champions League, writes Tlalane Phahla.
The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) confirmed that the game would be played in South Africa but has not officially announced the venue.
Lesotho’s Lioli FC will host South Africa’s Swallows FC in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie, scheduled for September 9-11. The venue for the home leg is yet to be confirmed, with the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) awaiting a date from Swallows before finalizing the location.
Dobsonville Stadium, home to Swallows FC, has emerged as a potential contender for the clash. The iconic venue previously hosted Lesotho’s national team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to the unavailability of Setsoto Stadium, which was banned by CAF over a year ago. Nicknamed “Likuena’s Happy Hunting Ground,” Dobsonville Stadium witnessed Lesotho’s best performances, including a recent 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast. Matlama will be hoping to harness some of that home-field luck, even if it’s on South African soil.
Ideally, LEFA would prefer Free State Stadium, situated closer to Maseru, but inquiries about its availability in March revealed it wasn’t registered for CAF competitions. The current status of the stadium’s registration remains unclear.
Matlama coach Molebatsi Mothobi is determined to overcome the challenge
Despite the away leg disadvantage, Matlama coach Molebatsi Mothobi is determined to overcome the challenge. Acknowledging the potential impact on fan attendance, Mothobi emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude for his players. “We have to work with the players mentally and make them realize that even though we’re playing away, it’s still our home game,” he told FARPost. “We stick to our plans and tactics. It’s about getting ready and understanding that the dynamics remain the same.”
This Champions League campaign marks Mothobi’s coaching debut in the prestigious continental competition. Two weeks ago, he embarked on a learning trip to South Africa, visiting several clubs and coaches to gain insights and prepare his team for the upcoming challenge.
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