Makoanyane XI crash out

MASERU – Lesotho’s national Under-20 team has been knocked out of the COSAFA Championship after losing their final group game 2-1 to Mozambique yesterday.

Makoanyane XI were unlikely to make it to the semi-finals even with a victory because of a poor goal difference and their fate was sealed when they came up short at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini.

Bafokeng Mohapi’s charges will return home having played three games, losing two and winning just one against Seychelles who were the whipping boys of Group B.

Lesotho lost 5-0 to Angola in their opening game last Saturday and beat Seychelle 1-0 on Monday.

Mozambique proceeded to the semi-finals as the group winners and might be joined by Angola depending on the results of other games.

Lesotho went into the game against Mozambique as the underdogs and rightfully so, their opponents are the defending champions of the regional youth showpiece.

Mozambique started the game enjoying a lot of ball possession and attacked Lesotho but could not penetrate the Makoanyane XI defence which stood resolute despite the pressure piled on them.

It wasn’t until the 35th minute when Denio Munhave headed in the opener.

There was a bit of confusion in the box, it looked like the ball took a huge deflection off a Lesotho defender but it was credited to Munhave.

It is a goal that Lesotho will look back on and feel they should have done a better job of clearing the ball out of the box.

Jose Zavala doubled Mozambique’s lead early in the 56th minute which was not a proud moment for Lesotho goalkeeper Maqebo Temana who, like his defence, would be disappointed he was not able to keep the ball out of the net.

Leading 2-0, the champions were now in control of the game and the group.

Lesotho halved the deficit through Tanki Tsibela in the 66th minute but it was not enough for the Makoanyane XI who could not find an equaliser.

Mohapi made one change to the team that beat Seychelles on Monday with Reabetsoe Linono coming in for Tumeliso Ratšiu.

Lesotho’s starting team:

Temana, Monaheng, Lebeko, Mapola, Linono (T. Seturumane 46’), Ralesupi (Ratsiu 85’), Kulehile (Kome 85’), Chocholo, Tsibela, Leemisa, Theko

Tlalane Phahla