LIKUENA head coach Thabo Senong on Wednesday announced his 36-man provisional squad for the upcoming COSAFA Cup, omitting several key players that were fingered during the side’s disastrous performance at the recent Three Nations Tournament in Mozambique.

The national team was humiliated 5-0 by Mozambique before going down 1-0 to Eswatini in their last match at the tournament.

The trip to Maputo was also marred by off-the-field escapades, with Matlama utility player Thabo Matṧoele hogging the headlines for the wrong reasons after he was caught by CCTV cameras at the hotel where the team was staying, stealing money from the team manager’s room.

Senong also announced upon the team’s return that talented Bantu utility player Tṧoanelo Koetle, who was making a return to the national team after a long absence, gave him a tough time as “he is difficult to work with”.

Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) announced that several of the players that were in the squad were also caught on camera smoking marijuana though they decided not to reveal their names.

Senong has since dropped the likes of Koetle, Matṧoele, Hlompho Kalake, Litṧepe Marabe, Monaheng Ramalefane, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi and Tau Masiu, who were all part of the team that lost the two games in Mozambique.

“Of course, the main objective is to do well in the tournament. We obviously had to be brave when we brought in new players, we also have to maybe exclude some, especially players that have been in the set up,” Senong told the media.

“But then again, you have to be mindful that the youth you are trying to bring in must be gelled and mixed with some experienced players because you want to balance that competitiveness in the team as much as you are also developing and rebuilding as well.

“With regard the criteria, it is always important to look at the character of the player. Is he coachable, can he integrate with new players, new coaches, is he disciplined, and does he understand the importance of representing the badge/national flag? Those are some of the things we look at.”

Senong has retained some senior members of the team such as Captain Basia Makepe, Jane Thabantṧo while Motebang Sera leads a group of players playing their football out of the country.