Likuena off to a flyer at COSAFA Cup

Record-breaker... Jane Thaba-Ntšo

Lesotho got its 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup campaign off to a perfect start with a 3-0 win over Mauritius at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia on Sunday.

The victory included a couple of milestones for Lesotho.

Firstly, the 3-0 win is Likuena’s largest margin of victory in the history of the tournament. Secondly, Jane Thaba-Ntšo etched his name into the record books by scoring the fastest goal in the competition’s history.

It was Thaba-Ntšo’s strike after 34 seconds that set the tone as the midfielder caught Mauritius keeper Kevin Jean-Louis off guard with a looping header. The goal settled Likuena and Moses Maliehe’s side immediately grabbed a firm foothold of the game.

Jeremea Kamela, Kefuoe Mahula and Tumelo Khutlang all had attempts at goals in the first minutes.

Likuena’s ascendency was such that goalkeeper Daniel Jousse was only called into action in the 40th minute when he had to deal with a volley from Damien Balisson.

Lesotho’s display brought a second goal on the brink of halftime when Khutlang was rewarded with a penalty for his attacking verve. Kamela made no mistake no mistake from the spot, sending Jean-Louis the wrong way to put Lesotho 2-0 ahead at the break.

The second half followed much of the same script and Lesotho rounded out a perfect afternoon when Sera Motebang made it 3-0 in the 90th minute. Mahula was named man of the match for his performance in midfield.

In the day’s second Group B game, Malawi beat Angola 3-0 to make it a tie with Lesotho at the top of the group. Only one side will progress to face South Africa in the quarterfinals.

Man of the match... Kefuoe Mahula

Starting line-ups:

Lesotho XI: Daniel Jousse, Basia Makepe, Mafa Moremoholo, Kopano Tseka, Hlompho Kalake, Mabuti Potloane, Kefuoe Mahula, Jane Thaba-Ntšo (Sera 72’), Tšepo Seturumane (Seakhoa 72’), Jeremea Kamela (Malefane 68’), Tumelo Khutlang

Subs: Liteboho Mokhehle, Sepiriti Malefane, Phafa Tšosane, Motebang Sera, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Montoeli Sonopo, Thabo Seakhoa

Mauritius XI: Kevin Jean-Louis, Louis Dorza, Damien Balisson, Francis Rasolofonirina, Jonathan Pierre Bru, Peter Bell, Kevin Chan-Yu-tin, Jean Sophie, Guiyano Chiffone, Louis Citorah, Emmanuel Vincent Jean

Subs: Jean Permal, Jean Langue, Christopher L’enclume, Laval Rungassamy, Luther Rose, Kylian Yrnard, Aboobakar Augustin

Group B

Results

Lesotho 3-0 Mauritius

Malawi 3-0 Angola

Table

	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	Lesotho	1	1	0	0	3	0	3	3
1	Malawi	1	1	0	0	3	0	3	3
3	Angola	1	0	0	1	0	3	-3	0
3	Mauritius	1	0	0	1	0	3	-3	0