Lesotho got the
first part of the job done, a 1-0 win over Kenya at Setsoto Stadium on Sunday
in the first leg of its 2014 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier. Now Likuena have to go and finish the job in Kenya. The winner goes through to the final stage of
qualifying – a group containing Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola – with the
ultimate goal being a spot at the 2015 Afcon in Morocco.
That’s the
carrot dangling for Lesotho.
There are many
positives for Likuena.
Setsoto has really turned into a fortress for Lesotho and Likuena are enjoying their best period in
competitive matches since a run between
1992 and 1994 when Lesotho went five matches unbeaten at home.
Lesotho has only lost once in its past seven matches at home, conceding just three goals. Likuena’s only loss was to Ghana.
Lesotho's recent home form in competitive matches
10/06/12
Lesotho 0-0 Sudan (World Cup qualifier)
24/03/13 Lesotho
1-1 Zambia (World Cup qualifier)
16/06/13 Lesotho
0-2 Ghana (World Cup qualifier)
01/06/14 Lesotho
2-0 Liberia (World Cup qualifier)
20/07/14 Lesotho
1-0 Kenya (Afcon qualifier)
|
This is very encouraging.
A home fortress is always a prerequisite but most especially in African football.
A home fortress is always a prerequisite but most especially in African football.
Tšotleho Jane (10) v Kenya Photo credit: Soccer Laduma |
Sunday’s display
against Kenya wasn’t the best. Lesotho’s interim coach Seepheephe Matete was
intent on keeping things tight and started with Thapelo Tale as the lone
striker.
Kenya was the
better side for large parts of the first half, mostly via their superior
physicality, while Lesotho was flat. Likuena
were also lucky; goalkeeper Mohau Kuenane spilled an early free-kick suspiciously
close to the goal-line as Lesotho also battled early jitters.
Things improved somewhat
when Mabuti Potloane replaced Thabo Masualle. Tšoanelo Koetle moved to right-back
in a tactical reshuffle and he would end up having an influential game.
After the break Likuena
improved slightly more and were rewarded 20 minutes into the second half when Tšepo Seturumane found the net
with a header goal from Koetle’s cross . Lesotho
had three further half-chances to add a bigger cushion for the second leg.
But, 1-0 it will
be. Not a bad result at all. The pressure is now all on Kenya. One Likuena goal
in the return on August 3 would mean Kenya need three to progress.
There is plenty
of work still to be done, but Lesotho should wake this morning confident.
Lesotho
XI v Kenya
1. Mohau Kuenane
2. Thabo
Masualle
3. Jerry Kamela
4. Nkau
Lerotholi
5. Moitheri
Ntobo (c)
6. Tšoanelo
Koetle
7. Bushy
Moletsane
8. Motlalepula
Mofolo
9. Thapelo Tale
10. Tšotleho
Jane
11. Tšepo
Seturumane
Substitutes
Phafa Tšosane
Lekhanya
Lekhanya
Mabuti Potloane
Sepiriti
Malefane
Tšepo Lekhoana
Basia Makepe
Kananelo
Makhooane
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