Lesotho faces Zimbabwe in COSAFA Cup semi-finals

Lesotho striker Thapelo Tale (left) challenged by Namibia's Denzil Haoseb

Lesotho is one step away from reaching the final of the 2017 COSAFA Castle Cup. Likuena will face Zimbabwe in the COSAFA Castle Cup semi-finals on Wednesday afternoon and the match will kick-off at 17:30 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.

Moses Maliehe’s charges booked their place in the last four thanks to a 5-4 penalty shootout win over 2015 champions Namibia in Saturday’s quarterfinals after the match had ended goalless draw in normal time.

Minister of sport Kabelo Mafura praised Likuena’s progression to the final four of the regional showpiece being hosted in South Africa’s North West province.

“We want sports be a unifying factor for Basotho and that is what I am working towards,” Mafura added.

Before the COSAFA Cup, Mafura boosted Likuena’s tournament budget with M50 000 from his own pocket. Wednesday’s semi-final against Zimbabwe will be the second time in the past four years that Lesotho meets the Warriors at the last four stage. In 2013 in Zambia, Zimbabwe ran out 2-1 winners.

Likuena will be looking for a reversal of fortunes as they chase a first-ever international title.