Makoanyane XI end COSAFA campaign with a win

Lesotho’s Tšeliso Botsane is tackled by Junior Dlamini of Swaziland 

Lesotho ended its 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships campaign with an impressive come from behind 2-1 win over Swaziland at the Mogwase Stadium on Monday.

The Makoanyane XI secured the victory thanks to goals either side of halftime from Thabang Malane and Khubetsoana Kamela.

The result means Lesotho finished second in Group A with six points behind hosts South Africa who beat Botswana 1-0 in the day’s other group game to end with nine points. Only the group winners advance to the semi-finals of the competition and South Africa had already secured their progress before Monday’s final round of group games.

Nevertheless, Lesotho will be happy to end the tournament with two good wins after losing 8-0 to South Africa in the opening game last Wednesday.

Against Swaziland, Makoanyane XI coach Motlalepula Majoro made one change to the team that beat Botswana 1-0 as Saturday’s match-winner Tšeliso Botsane returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Bakuena Mothotjela.

Buoyed by that victory, Lesotho went into the game against Swaziland in high spirits but it was the Swazis who were the better team at the start and the Makoanyane XI were behind as early as the fifth minute.

The goal came courtesy of Saviola Gamedze as he beat Lesotho’s defence to bundle in a low ball from Ali Matse who had zigzagged his way into the box from the right wing. A few minutes later Lesotho goalkeeper Jessy Matsie was called into action again as he was forced into a smart reaction save after Matse had been given acres of space for a header inside the box.

Swaziland were clearly on top in the early stages and Lesotho only launched its first meaningful attack in the 17th minute when Botsane sent the ball forward for Kamela to chase but Swaziland defender Vilakati cleared the ball away.

However, as the first half progressed, the Makoanyane XI began to find their footing and they finally got their equaliser in the 42nd minute when Thabang Malane found the top far left with a wonderful long range chip. It was a beautiful goal and it gave Lesotho confidence.

Majoro’s charges carried the momentum into the second half and in the 48th minute Khubetsoana Kamela gave Lesotho the lead with a powerful shot from inside the box.

The Makoanyane XI had some nervous moments late on including when goalkeeper Matsie was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Monaheng Ramalefane in the 74th minute. However, Lesotho held on to leave the COSAFA junior championships with a second morale boosting win.

Lesotho XI v Swaziland: Jessy Matsie, Itumeleng Leche, Mohai Mohai ©, Rethabile Mokokoane, Khubetsoana Kamela, Lehlohonolo Fothoane, Monang Mohapi, Moalosi Mosoeu, Tšeliso Botsane, Rasetabele Kalosane, Thabang Malane

Group A
07/12 – 14:00: Swaziland 2-0 Botswana (Moruleng Stadium)
07/12 – 19:30: South Africa 8-0 Lesotho (Moruleng Stadium)
09/12 – 14:00: South Africa 1-0 Swaziland (Moruleng Stadium)
10/12 – 17:30: Lesotho 1-0 Botswana (Mogwase Stadium)
12/12 – 17:00: Lesotho 2-1 Swaziland (Mogwase Stadium)
12/12 – 17:00: Botswana 0-1 South Africa (Moruleng Stadium)

Standings

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	South Africa	3	3	0	0	10	0	10	9
2	Lesotho	3	2	0	1	3	9	-6	6
3	Swaziland	3	1	0	2	3	3	0	3
4	Botswana	3	0	0	3	0	4	-4	0