Africa-Press – Mauritius. Angola and Lesotho played to a six-goal thriller at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in their final group stage match at the 2023 COSAFA Cup on Wednesday afternoon, as the Black Antelopes recorded a 4-2 win in the process.
With the game ending 2-2 at the break, second-half strikes by Manu Goncalves and Osvaldo Moseka provided Angola with a consolation win in Durban. Lesotho dominated the opening exchanges of the match and made their intensions known from the first whistle.
In playing high up the pitch, Lesotho’s off the ball running often troubled the Angolan defence. Likuena’s pressure paid off in the third minute, as Tumelo Makha opened the scoring for his nation.
In putting the opposition defender under pressure, Makha robbed his opposite number of the ball before progressing inside the penalty area and subsequently put the ball into the back of the net with a calm left-footed finish.
, Lesotho played with vigor after taking the lead and ventured forward with confidence in search of a second goal. In response, Angola looked to hit Likuena on the counter, but were unable to make the most of their goal-scoring chances after the 15th minute mark.
However, the Black Antelopes levelled matters in the 20th minute as goalkeeper Mosoeu Seahlolo was unable to grasp Cesar Cangue’s powerful header toward the near post. After making way down their right-hand flank, Antonio Lopes swung in an inch-perfect cross, which was met by the onrushing attacking.
MOSEKA GETS IN ON THE FUN
Angola took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark as Moises Amor added his name to the goal scoring sheet. In latching onto a headed clearance inside the Lesotho box after a free-kick situation, the defender’s first-time volley caught the opposition goalkeeper unaware.
Nonetheless, Lesotho continued to fight back and levelled matters shortly before the halftime break, as Rethabile Mokokoane’s venomous strike beat Teodoro Tchinssingui in goal.
Angola started the second half as the better of the two teams and managed to take the lead five minutes after the restart. Found by Enoque Tula on the edge of the area, Manu Goncalves made no mistake with his shot from the centre of the box.
The game reached a tacky period as the hour mark made its way, with neither side able to make their goal-scoring chances stick. However, Likuena edged their opponents slightly in terms of the ball possession statistic.
Despite seeing less of the ball, Angola increased their lead in the 86th minute with second-half substitute Osvaldo Moseka got in on the fun. After a telling ball was played from the left-wing into the penalty area, Moseka found himself in the right place to place the ball into the back of the net with a side-footed effort.
Angola: (2 ) 3 (Cesar Cangue 20’ Amor 28’Gongalves 50’ Moseka 86’)
Lesotho: (2) 2 (Makha 3’ Mokokoane 44’)
Angola: Tchinssingui, Dianzenza, Amor, Canji, Chitanga, Enoque, Walter (Congolo 45’), Lopes (Moseka 72’), Direito (Abrao 72’), Manu, Cesar Cangue
Lesotho: Seahlolo, Mokokoane, Tseka, Makhetha, Malane (Senkoto 70’), Toloane, Mkwanazi (Lesaoana 45’), Sefali (Mokhachane 45’), Fothoane, Makha (Sera 81’), Lebina (Bereng 45’)
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