Quote of the week

“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.” – Muhammad Ali

Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Renaissance of African Goalkeepers


Safe Hands
Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama
Since time immemorial goalkeepers have been the ultimate guardian of a football team.

From Dino Zoff to Iker Casillas goalies have been revered as the last line of defence and, occasionally, the difference between glory and despair.

Sadly, when it comes to Africa this has not always been the case. When Zaire were beaten 9-0 by Yugoslavia at the 1974 World Cup Mwamba Kazadi became the model for the idea Africa had poor keepers. That was Africa’s first appearance at a World Cup and over the years – with rare exceptions such as Thomas Nkono and Joseph Antoine Bell – African keepers did little to disprove this notion.

From Peter Rufai’s uncertainty at the 1998 World Cup to Andre Arendse’s misfortune in 2002, the narrative that Africa had sub-standard keepers only got stronger.

The result was a low opinion of African keepers from the outside and little respect for the position within Africa itself, perpetuating a cycle whereby focus was on outfielders rather than goalkeepers.

Fortunately, there seems to be a gradual change and in 2013 there is a different mood – a renaissance of African goalkeepers.

With goalkeeper coaching drastically improving and greater attention is paid on the art, things are changing from a time when a good African keeper was the exception rather than the norm. 

The recent Africa Cup of Nations was the real show of the continent’s goalkeeping talent and this was in evidence again around during the weekend’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Of course there is still the bizarre; Ethiopia’s Jamel Tassew’s kung-fu kick on Zambia’s Chisamba Lungu being a prime example, however there’s been more than enough evidence to suggest it’s time to end the notion that the continent has bad goalkeepers.

The consistently brilliant performances of South Africa’s Itumeleng Khune, Zambia’s Kennedy Mweene and Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama in particular present strong counter-arguments to the old clichés about Africa’s goalkeepers.

On Saturday against the Central African Republic Khune was again exemplary with his marvellous distribution and his positioning. Zambia’s Mweene, who saves penalties as efficiently as he scores them, has been a model of consistency for club and country over the last four years.
Flying Machine
Bafana's Itumeleng Khune
Enyeama, arguably Africa’s top keeper, first made headlines in South Africa at the last World Cup for a stunning display against Argentina and last month he was at it again leading Nigeria to its first Nations Cup title in 19 years.

There are still challenges in the way of Africa’s keepers. Many countries remain behind when it comes to goalkeeping training techniques while keepers are often times outfield players who were pushed to the posts.

Keepers are also generally exposed to a different type of game to leagues abroad with more flair but less crosses and high balls pumped into the penalty area.

This has contributed to a tendency of European clubs to underrate African goalkeepers. At the recent Nations Cup only Togo’s Kosi Agassa, of Reims in France’s Ligue 1, was a regular starter at a club in one of Europe’s so-called top five leagues.

On the other hand outfield players such from Didier Drogba to Samuel Eto’o form the backbone of many a European club side.

As Nkono (the only goalkeeper to have twice been elected Africa Footballer of the Year) says it’s down to miscalculated preconceptions.

“I am not sure if people any longer have a generally low opinion of African goalkeepers,” says Nkono. “But I think there was time when maybe people abroad thought in terms of Mwamba Kazadi and one bad World Cup match.”

It’s a battle Africa keepers, such as Khune and Mweene, face when it comes to breaking through to the highest level of the game. Since Nkono and Bell had success in the eighties for Espanyol and Marseille respectively, only Carlos Kameni has had a long run in goals for a top European team.

Goalkeeper does remain a problem position for several of Africa’s top sides, but there are enough good keepers to end the stereotype of the naive African goalkeeper. 
Mr. Penalties
Zambia's Kennedy Mweene
It’s ok to know Africa’s stoppers for their uniqueness, such as DRC’s Robert Kidiaba’s donkey dance which delighted at the recent African Cup of Nations, but it should also be known that Africa has quality keepers that can hold their own against the best in the world.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Likuena face Zambia test

Lesotho faces Zambia in a colossal 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Setsoto Stadium on Sunday.

After a 7-0 loss away to Ghana and a 0-0 home draw with Sudan in the first two qualifiers last year, Sunday’s encounter represents a must-win game if Lesotho is to make any noise in this extremely difficult group.

Sunday’s game is also the second of Lesotho’s three at home and, as is widely-known, in Africa playing at home is an advantage teams have to make the most of.

Lesotho hosts Zambia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier
on Sunday
In their last home game Likuena played to a goalless draw with Sudan, a match in which Leslie Notši’s side played well without ever looking like they would grab all three points.

When it comes to Lesotho’s chances of causing an upset, Sunday’s game against Zambia comes at a pretty good time. Chipolopolo are coming off a disappointing 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign which has resulted in relative upheaval. Flamboyant coach Hervé Renard has since sidelined several veteran players such as strikers James Chamanga and Noah Chivuta.

There are question marks surrounding the team’s hunger as well the pressure from back home to beat a lowly-ranked Lesotho – Zambia is ranked 36th in the world and Likuena 166th.

These factors Lesotho can use to its advantage.

Lesotho’s home record since a self-imposed exile in 2010 isn’t bad; Lesotho is yet to concede a goal in a competitive game at Setsoto. Likuena beat Burundi 1-0 in August 2011 followed by 0-0 draws with Sao Tome (January 2012) and Sudan (July 2012). In fact, Setsoto has been a defensive fortress. Last year league champions LCS drew 0-0 with Uganda’s URA in the Caf Champions League. This year LCS beat Zimbabwe’s Dynamos 1-0.

So defensively things look good, it’s upfront where a marked improvement is needed. Goal-scoring has been a serious headache for Lesotho since the retirements of Teele Ntšonyana and Lebajoa Mphongoa and in an attempt to solve the problem Notši has recalled in-form Litšepe Marabe to his squad. The Bantu star is the top scorer in the league with 13 goals in 14 games.

Speaking in local media last week Leslie Notši said: “This is one of our toughest matches and we will have to do well playing at home with the home ground advantage. Zambia is a very good side. They have a team that has played together for more than four years and we will have to be at our best because they are one of the top teams in our region.”

Even at this early stage it feels as though Notši’s team may just be playing for pride. Zambia lead Group D with six points from two games, Ghana follow on four points with Sudan and Lesotho third and fourth with a point each.  

Zambia, chasing their first World Cup appearance, have made their intentions clear. “We are going to Lesotho to win; that is what matters. We have to score more than them,” said Renard.

Still, anything is possible. A win for Lesotho may seem a long-shot, but for inspiration Likuena can look to the last time the two nations met – a Cosafa Cup quarterfinal in 2000 at Setsoto which Lesotho won 1-0.

Likuena squad v Zambia

Goalkeepers: Liteboho Mokhehle (Lioli), Mohau Kuenane (Lioli)

Defenders: Moitheri Ntobo, captain (LCS), Thabo Masualle (Lioli), Tlali Maile (Bantu), Tšoanelo Koetle (Lioli), Janefeke Molibeli (LDF), Basia Makepe (Joy), Jerry Kamele (Joy)

Midfielders: Bokang Mothoana (US Monastir, Tunisia), Katleho Moleko (RC Athletico FC, South Africa), Ralekoti Mokhahlane (LCS), Mabuti Potloane (Linare), Litšepe Marabe (Bantu), Thabiso Mohapi (Bantu), Thulo Ranchobe.(LCS), Motlalepula Mofolo (Lioli)

Strikers: Mojela Letsie (LDF), Lehlomela Ramabele (Likhopo), Thapelo Tale (Likhopo), Tšepo Lekhoana (Maluti FET College, South Africa)

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Lesotho Premier League: Table


Vodacom Premier League


P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Lioli
15
10
3
2
20
7
13
33
2
Bantu
14
10
2
2
28
12
16
32
3
LDF
14
6
6
2
19
10
9
24
4
LCS
13
6
3
4
13
11
2
21
5
Linare
14
5
4
5
17
12
5
19
6
LMPS
15
5
3
7
9
10
-1
18
7
Joy
13
4
4
5
19
22
-3
16
8
Qoaling Highlanders
14
4
3
7
12
19
-7
15
9
Likhopo
14
4
2
8
9
14
-5
14
10
Mpharane Celtic
15
3
4
8
20
35
-15
13
11
Matlama
10
3
1
6
11
15
-4
10
12
Nyenye Rovers
14
1
7
7
9
20
-11
10

Weekend Result
Saturday, 16 March
LCS 0-1 Lioli

Monday, March 11, 2013

Bantu and Lioli pull away from the pack

Bantu and Lioli pulled away from the pack with vital wins this weekend. There’s now a six-point gap from Lioli in second place to third-placed LDF, putting A Matšo Matebele and Tse Nala in the title race driving seats as the Vodacom Premier League heads into a two-week break.

Bantu got the ball rolling with a 2-1 win over Joy on Saturday to temporarily move five points clear at the top. The win was the Mafeteng side’s eighth in nine games. However, Lioli pegged Bantu back with a 2-1 victory of their own over Linare yesterday at the Lioli Stadium.

The team to beat...
Bantu
It wasn’t easy, though. Tse Nala grabbed a 2-0 lead within an hour thanks to goals from Tšepo Seturumane and Bafokeng Mosala and seemed on course for a comfortable Great-North Derby win. However, Linare pulled a goal back mid-way through the second half via Leboneng Moqecho and Lioli were forced to cling on towards the end, especially after captain Shetsane Ramoseeka was sent off late on.

Elsewhere, champions LCS failed to keep pace in the title race after they were held 0-0 by LMPS on Saturday. Masheshena, with 21 points, are 11 points behind leaders Bantu but they do have two games in hand.

LDF endured a similarly frustrating weekend as they dropped two valuable points at home to basement dwellers Nyenye Rovers yesterday. Sohle-Sohle remain third but are now six points behind Lioli and eight behind Bantu after a 1-1 draw at Ratjomose.

Qoaling Highlanders were the only movers, position-wise, this weekend thanks to a pulsating 3-2 win over Mpharane Celtic in Qoaling yesterday. The result moves Highlanders up to eighth in the table with 15 points, five above the relegation zone.

The league will resume on March 30 after a break for Lesotho’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Zambia on March 24.

Results
Saturday, 9 March
LMPS 0-0 LCS (PTC Ground, 16:00)
Bantu 2-1 Joy (Mafeteng, 16:00)
Matlama v Likhopo (Postponed)

Sunday, 10 March
LDF 1-1 Nyenye Rovers
Lioli 2-1 Linare
Qoaling Highlanders 3-2 Mpharane Celtic

Vodacom Premier League


P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Bantu
14
10
2
2
28
12
16
32
2
Lioli
14
9
3
2
19
7
12
30
3
LDF
14
6
6
2
19
10
9
24
4
LCS
12
6
3
3
13
10
3
21
5
Linare
14
5
4
5
17
12
5
19
6
LMPS
15
5
3
7
9
10
-1
18
7
Joy
13
4
4
5
19
22
-3
16
8
Qoaling Highlanders
14
4
3
7
12
19
-7
15
9
Likhopo
14
4
2
8
9
14
-5
14
10
Mpharane Celtic
15
3
4
8
20
35
-15
13
11
Matlama
10
3
1
6
11
15
-4
10
12
Nyenye Rovers
14
1
7
7
9
20
-11
10