Africa-Press – Lesotho. Likuena suffered their first defeat in the 2023 COSAFA Cup yesterday losing 4-2 to Angola in the last Group C game. The defeat does not matter for Likuena as they had already booked their spot in the semis and Lesotho will meet Malawi tomorrow.
Likuena went into the game against Angola having already secured qualification which allowed interim coach Leslie Notši to make changes to his starting team to give other players a chance to impress.
Lesotho have scored first in all the games and when Tumelo Makha netted in the third minute of the first half it looked as if Likuena would repeat what they did against Mauritius and Mozambique and claim all three points.
However, Angola equalised in the 19th minute with tame goal that went between goalkeeper Mosoeu Seahlolo’s legs. The young goalkeeper is in Durban as a reserve goalkeeper and it did not take long before Angola doubled their lead in the 28th minute.
It was another goal that the goalkeeper will look back and feel he should have done better. Rethabile Mokokoane restored parity for Likuena in the 43rd minute with a strike from 25 yards out as Likuena went into half time level with Angola.
However, Angola took the lead again five minutes after the second half restart. Although Likuena were not totally outplayed and had good possession in periods of the game, they were not able to assert themselves on the game enough.
Eventually Angola scored a fourth and last goal of the game. Notši will not be happy with conceding four goals in one game after keeping two clean sheets, but the game has also given him an idea of who is ready and who is not.
He came into the game hoping for three points and build confidence ahead of a showdown with Malawi tomorrow. After beating Mozambique on Monday, Notši credited the Mozambican team for giving them a “good game” and said they pushed Likuena to be at their best.
“We are quite satisfied with the performance of the boys and also to give credit to the Mozambican team they gave us a good game I think they brought the best out of our boys in terms of taking this COSAFA platform.
They really pushed us to the limit and we are happy that the boys came back with three points,” Notši said. Defeat against Angola is a setback but Lesotho finishes on top of Group C.
Basotho based in KwaZulu-Natal have come out in numbers to support the team despite the unpleasant weather conditions. Notši said they appreciate their presence and support for the team.
“We are quite satisfied, those young players like Neo Mokhachane, Tšepang Sefali, Thabang Malane they have seized the opportunity and have enjoyed themselves and played according to the plan.
I think everybody within the team set-up has given their all. We are quite happy so far,” he said. The game against Malawi will not be an easy one for Lesotho.
Their opponents have won all their games without conceding a goal. Likuena at the 2023 COSAFA Cup: Group C results Lesotho 2-0 Mauritius Lesotho 1-0 Mozambique Lesotho 2-4 Angola Group B Malawi 1-0 Zambia Malawi 2-0 Seychelles Malawi 2-0 Comoros Likuena starting team v Angola
Seahlolo (G), Malane (Senkoto 70’), Makhetha, Tseka, Mokokoana, Mkhwanazi (Lesaoana 46’), Toloane, Makha (Sera 81’), Fothoane, Sefali (Mokhachane 46’), Lebina (Bereng 46’)
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