Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho faces a crunch game today against Zambia as Likuena fight to keep their COSAFA Cup hopes alive. The match comes after Likuena’s opening game loss to Eswatini on Tuesday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Likuena lost 3-1 and go into to today’s tie knowing another loss would severely dent their hopes of progressing from the group stage.
Likuena, who are being led by veteran coach Leslie Notši, will be hoping to make a better start against Zambia than they did on Tuesday when they were reduced to 10 men after only seven minutes when Jane Thabantšo was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Lindo Mkhonta.
Despite the early setback, Lesotho was still the better team in the opening stages and had the better of the game even though Notši’s changes did not trouble the Swazi goalkeeper.
Likuena could have grabbed the lead early in the second half but striker Masoabi Nkoto missed a good chance when he put his header wide with no pressure on him.
Moments later Eswatini went in front with their second shot on target when Felix Badenhorst scored from a free-kick which Likuena goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane could perhaps have done better with.
A man and a goal down, Likuena still pushed forward and they were rewarded by an excellent free-kick taken by Tumelo Khutlang who put it away from the goalkeeper. However, as Likuena began to wilt as the game wore on, Eswatini took control and scored two goals that ensured them the three points.
Afterwards, Notši said Thabantšo’s red card changed Likuena’s game-plan but he said he was proud of the team and added that they gave a good account of themselves on the day.
Notši could make changes to the line-up for the game against Zambia and it remains to be seen whether Bloemfontein Celtic striker Motebang Sera will start from the bench again.
Apart from failing to find the net, Nkoto did not help matters with his inability to hold the ball upfront which meant Lesotho could not build or sustain any attacks.
Sera, who has been a consistent performer for Likuena over the past three years, would appear to be a better choice to lead the line. For Lesotho, losing the first game is a blow and Notši charges now face an uphill battle against the champions.
Zambia was originally drawn in Group B but, after the withdrawal of both Madagascar and Comoros, the format was changed from three groups to two pools.
The changes saw Zambia join Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini in Group A while Malawi went into Group B alongside Senegal, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique. The changes also mean more games.
In the original format teams would were scheduled to play three games but now each will play four times and the top two teams from each group will proceed to the semi-finals.
Tuesday’s defeat does not necessarily mean Lesotho is out but it complicates their journey. There is not much of a history between Lesotho and Zambia in international football.
The two last time these two teams met in was in June 2016 at the COSAFA Cup and Zambia won the game 3-2. Prior to that the two sides met in 2013 in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The first leg in Maseru ended in a 1-1 draw but Lesotho was hammered 4-0 in Lusaka. In the last 10 years, Lesotho has not beaten Zambia in an official match.
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