Connect with us

AFCON

NIGERIA’S AFCON 2021 OPPONENTS, LESOTHO STUN SOUTH AFRICA

Published

on

 

Perhaps as a pointer to the stiff opposition the Nigeria Super Eagles should expect when the qualification series of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations begin in November, the Likuena of Lesotho have stunned higher rated Bafana Bafana of South Africa in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying series.

Nigeria and Lesotho are in the same group of the qualifying series for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria will be away to Lesotho on November 19.

On Sunday, Lesotho beat South Africa 3-2 in their CHAN 2020 qualifier to register their first ever victory against their neighbours in a match played at Setsoto Stadium.

Considering that most, if not all the Lesotho national team players are home-based, the team that beat South Africa last Sunday will likely be the one to face the Super Eagles on November 19.

Advertisement

Lesotho went ahead as early as the fourth minute of the game, with Tsepo Seturumane showing composure inside the penalty box getting past a defender before slotting the ball past Bongani Mpandle, who was in goals for the South African side.

The goal seemed to work wonders for the home side as they hit a crossbar a few minutes later through Lehlohonolo Fothoane, with his thunderous strike having already beaten Mpandle, but the goal post coming to his rescue.

Bafana Bafana, who on the day fielded a team made up mostly of players coming from their under-23 side, created their fair share of chances to get back into the game, but was let down but poor finishing in front of goals.

Kamohelo Mahlatsi particularly was very impressive in the midfield and always gave Lesotho a tough time whenever his team was in possession of the ball.

South Africa was able to get an equaliser in additional time of the first half. Their captain on the day, Tercious Malepe, equalised from the penalty spot after Lesotho defender Basia Makepe brought down Zama Ramabuwane inside the box.

Advertisement

Lesotho regained their lead in the second half with Hlompho Kalake netting from the penalty spot after Thabo Moloi handled the ball in the box.

However, it didn’t take long for Bafana Bafana to find their way back into the game as Luvuyo Phewa capitalised on poor defending by the home side to get his team back on level, beating Lesotho goalkeeper Thabiso Lichaba from close range.

Lehlohonolo Fothoane produced the moment of game in the dying minutes of the match getting past a defender before curling the ball into the back of the net to give the Mountain Kingdom country the 3-2 win and the advantage heading into next weekend’s second leg tie in South Africa.

Lesotho regained their lead in the second half with Hlompho Kalake netting from the penalty spot after Thabo Moloi handled the ball in the box.

However, it didn’t take long for Bafana Bafana to find their way back into the game as Luvuyo Phewa capitalised on poor defending by the home side to get his team back on level, beating Lesotho goalkeeper Thabiso Lichaba from close range.

Advertisement

Lehlohonolo Fothoane produced the moment of game in the dying minutes of the match getting past a defender before curling the ball into the back of the net to give the Mountain Kingdom country the 3-2 win and the advantage heading into next weekend’s second leg tie in South Africa.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement