The Lesotho Football Association (LFA) has appointed Vaselin Jelušic as the new head coach of the national teams.
The Serbian, who has been working in Africa since 1992, has signed a two-year contract to be head coach, and was unveiled by the LFA during a press briefing in Maseru on Tuesday.
The 62-year-old replaces South African Thabo Senong who resigned in July last year just after naming squad for the 2021 Cosafa Cup.
Former Uganda national team head coach Jonathan McKinstry had been considered for the post, with media reports in Lesotho suggesting he was the favourite for the job.
Talks between the parties took place but McKinstry was unable to accept the position because of his other contractual commitments.
That led to the surprise appointment of Jelušic,who has much experience in coaching in countries such as Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia.
“It is my great honour and pleasure to be chosen to be the coach of the Lesotho National team and I would like to give my promise, that I will do my best to contribute to the achievements and goals of the Lesotho Football Association,” said the coach during his unveiling ceremony.
“I know the country has limitations in terms of players playing in professional leagues as we get to play against top countries in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers, but that does not matter, and we will always give our best to make the country proud.”
Jelusic’s first task will be to prepare the team for a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at away to Seychelles in March.
“We respect each opponent irrespective of their FIFA ranking and we will give Seychelles the respect it deserves because they are a tough opponent, but we fight for results in the field of play,” the new Lesotho coach stated.
“We will not underestimate any opponents because we know they have caused upsets in the past and we will not make any mistake.
“Part of our strategic is to focus on young players and introduce them to the senior team. They are the future and should be given a chance to develop and grow.”
