Maseru — Even though football is a game of a rolling ball that can be kicked at any direction, Lesotho's historical mark to play in the continental cup for the first time is not far from realization.

While we should still leave room that anything can happen, we must however start doing everything that will make Likoena qualify to Mali 2002. Hoba ho ea rea ea - ho chesa kapa ho bata! There are however a number of issues that we should look into, like the welfare of the players, the administration as well as the support for our team.

One of the outstanding issues is that of acquiring extra support of skills and new techniques from a foreign coach. There is definitely a lot we can learn and achieve with some extra touch from somebody outside. It is not that our local coaches can not do the job. They have done exceptionally too well since last year and have shown a thing or two to the outside world.

This issue is not however an easy one to achieve, taking into consideration the amount and type of support that our sports discipline get from government and other sectors. May be as we are now going into the Vision 2020, we should also look into ways through which the private sector could play a meaningful role to developing football and other sports in the country.

It would be one great idea that instead of our local business people making isolated and uncoordinated contributions to Likoena and other national sports teams, a formal draft of support should be established and government should in turn find ways through which those who support could be given a big pat on the shoulder, like tax holidays or any other means normally afforded to foreign investors.

We all hope and believe that this time around the road to Mali 2002 will be all our responsibility and each and every Mosotho will make a meaningful contribution to the success of Likoena, the pride of Basotho. The fights over small crumbs and seats of power should not be used to derail the programme of success like it had seemed to be in the past. The team for all Basotho, not representing any political, religious or economic interest, but the spirit of a nation that is trying to run away from the past stupid political mishaps, which have driven Lesotho back where it is today.

Lastly we wish to cheer up the boys and remind that hard training and discipline will earn them a place of celebration and success in the world. Mali is not just an appearance showpiece, but a place of opportunities for our players and the country as a whole.