Barely few days to the last phase of the African Nations Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Nigeria, Lesotho has suffered a major set-back in their build up to the encounters as one of the Crocodiles’ dependable foreign-based defenders, Lesia Thetsane, has pulled out of the team, thus throwing their camp into a state of confusion.

Lesotho coach, Thabo Senong, will have to do without United States-based defender, Thetsane, who will not travel due to personal reasons.

Thetsane was a star performer when Lesotho reached the semi-finals of the 2019 COSAFA Cup and his absence will be keenly felt.

The side will also have to do without injured striker, Morapeli Lesoetsa, who ruptured his Achilles in training at the weekend.

“The striker will immediately undergo an operation and will get all the support he needs from the Association during the rehabilitation. We wish him a speedy recovery,” the Lesotho Football Association revealed.

Also, LMPS striker Tsepo Seturumane, was dropped after failing to show up for camp as the South African team prepares to take on Sierra Leone on March 27 at Setsoto stadium.

Jane Thabants’o and Thabang Malane are back in training after they had suffered from some slight niggles. The home-based players have been in camp since February and play friendlies against South African Premier Soccer League sides Free State Stars and Orlando Pirates this week.

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Meanwhile, other foreign-based players in the squad are Tumelo Khutlang, Motebary Sera, Tswavelo Bereng and Luciano Matsoso, who are all based in neighbouring South Africa, have confirmed their readiness to join the team.

Lesotho are due to host Sierra Leone on March 27 and travel away to Nigeria on March 30. They have two points from their four qualifiers to date.