Caf African Youth Championship - Lesotho 1, Mali 1

Mali……………..(0) 1  (Drissa Ballo 70min)

Lesotho………..(0) 1  (Mosiuoa Boseka 83min)

Lesotho picked up its first point at the Caf African Youth Championship in Johannesburg with a 1-1 draw against Mali yesterday at the Milpark Stadium.

The final 45 minutes display by the Makoanyane XI was something a little bit nearer to what could be expected from a national team, namely more urgency, direction and determination; Lesotho could have even snatched the win if there the side has more cutting edge in the final third towards the end.

The first half display by Lesotho had been another timid one and within the first minute Mali winger Drissa Ballo had a shot whisk just over the crossbar following lack play by Lesotho. Throughout the early stages the Makoanyane XI were again guilty of being too casual and seemingly not up for the task even against a Mali side that was already guaranteed passage through to the semi-finals.

In the 15th minute sloppy play between Tšoanelo Koetle and Thabiso Mohapi in the middle of the park led to a swift Mali breakaway which was only halted by a rash tackle by returning rightback Salebone Lekhooa in the penalty box on Adama Toure.

Fortunately Lesotho’s blushes were spared by an excellent stop by Kananelo Makhooane from Ibrahima Diallo. But it was still Mali who was the more likely to score.  Lesotho’s first attempts at goal were a wildly wide shot by Litšepe Marabe in the 43rd minute and an off-target freekick, also by Marabe, a minute later.

The Makoanyane XI and Mali both had chances to open the scoring early in the second half. Mali playmaker Toure missed an open goal after beating Lesotho’s defence and keeper in the 54th minute and then in the 68th minute Lehlomela Ramabele missed a one-on-one chance with Mali keeper Boubacar Togola.

It was Mali who created the better goalscoring opportunities and in the 73rd minute the West Africans finally opened the scoring when Ballo headed in at the far post from a cross from Diallo from the left.

Lesotho showed more willingness to break forward thanks to the introduction of Mosiuoa Boseka and Lekhanya Lekhanya midway through the second half.

It was this combination that brought Lesotho’s equalising goal seven minutes from time, Lekhanya laying the ball off to Boseka who duly curled a beauty into the top corner with his left. It was an eye-catching end to what in truth has been a bitterly disappointing tournament for Lesotho.