Seychelles end Lesotho’s hopes

Basia Makepe and co. came up short in Seychelles

Lesotho’s hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are virtually over after a 1-0 loss to Seychelles at the Stade Linite in Mahe this afternoon.

The loss leaves Lesotho rock bottom of Group J after three defeats from three matches.

The result is another disappointing one for Lesotho.

Likuena have not a won an international match in nine outings. The team’s last victory was a 1-0 win over Tanzania in the COSAFA Cup last May.

Today’s game was the first in charge for caretaker coach Moses Maliehe since he was appointed in November.

Maliehe started with a new-look line-up led by Basia Makepe but, Likuena were immediately on the back foot when Seychelles scored in the second minute of the game.

Seychelles were the better side in the first half and controlled the game. They forced Lesotho to defend deep and Lesotho’s attacking players, Tumelo Khutlang, Tšotleho Jane and Thabiso Brown, were not much of a factor in the opening 45 minutes.

Likuena improved in the second half and created more chances.

But, in going forward, Likuena left themselves exposed at the back and Seychelles sealed the game with a counterattack goal in the 85th minute.

Likuena will return home tomorrow. The teams meet again in another Group J qualifier on Tuesday at Setsoto Stadium. The game kicks off at 15:00, but Lesotho will be playing for pride.

#Likuena starting XI:

1. Daniel Jousse

2. Bokang Sello

3. Sepiriti Malefane

4. Basia Makepe ©

5. Kopano Tseka

6. Jerry Kamela

7. Hlompho Kalake

8. Tšotleho Jane

9. Tumelo Khutlang

10. Jane ThabaNtšo

11. Thabiso Brown

Group J standings

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	Algeria	3	3	0	0	14	2	12	9
2	Seychelles	3	1	1	1	3	5	-2	4
3	Ethiopia	3	1	1	1	4	9	-5	4
4	Lesotho	3	0	0	3	2	7	-5	0

Lesotho’s results since last win

Date	Match	Competition
22/05/15	Lesotho 1-0 Tanzania	COSAFA Cup
14/06/15	Ethiopia 2-1 Lesotho	AFCON qualifier
21/06/15	Lesotho 0-0 Botswana	CHAN qualifier
04/07/15	Botswana 1-1 Lesotho	CHAN qualifier
06/09/15	Lesotho 1-3 Algeria	AFCON qualifier
25/10/15	Comoros 0-0 Lesotho	World Cup qualifier
13/10/15	Lesotho 1-1 Comoros	World Cup qualifier
18/10/15	Zimbabwe 3-1 Lesotho	CHAN qualifier
07/10/15	Lesotho 1-1 Zimbabwe	CHAN qualifier
26/03/16	Seychelles 1-0 Lesotho	AFCON qualifier