Lesotho got thefirst part of the job done, a 1-0 win over Kenya at Setsoto Stadium on Sundayin 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 ofqualifying – a group containing Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola – with theultimate goal being a spot at the 2015 Afcon in Morocco.
That’s thecarrot dangling for Lesotho.
There are manypositives for Likuena.
Setsoto has really turned into a fortress for Lesotho and Likuena are enjoying their best period incompetitive matches sincea run between1992 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 fortressis always a prerequisite but most especially in African football.
A home fortressis always a prerequisite but most especially in African football.
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| Tšotleho Jane (10) v Kenya Photo credit: Soccer Laduma |
Sunday’s displayagainst Kenya wasn’t the best. Lesotho’s interim coach Seepheephe Matete wasintent on keeping things tight and started with Thapelo Tale as the lonestriker.
Kenya was thebetter side for large parts of the first half, mostly via their superiorphysicality, while Lesotho was flat. Likuenawere also lucky; goalkeeper Mohau Kuenane spilled an early free-kick suspiciouslyclose to the goal-line as Lesotho also battled early jitters.
Things improved somewhatwhen Mabuti Potloane replaced Thabo Masualle. Tšoanelo Koetle moved to right-backin a tactical reshuffle and he would end up having an influential game.
After the break Likuenaimproved slightly more and were rewarded 20 minutes into the second half when Tšepo Seturumane found the netwith a header goal from Koetle’s cross . Lesothohad three further half-chances to add a bigger cushion for the second leg.
But, 1-0 it willbe. Not a bad result at all. The pressure is now all on Kenya. One Likuena goalin the return on August 3 would mean Kenya need three to progress.
There is plentyof work still to be done, but Lesotho should wake this morning confident.
LesothoXI v Kenya
1. Mohau Kuenane
2. ThaboMasualle
3. Jerry Kamela
4. NkauLerotholi
5. MoitheriNtobo (c)
6. TšoaneloKoetle
7. BushyMoletsane
8. MotlalepulaMofolo
9. Thapelo Tale
10. TšotlehoJane
11. TšepoSeturumane
Substitutes
Phafa Tšosane
LekhanyaLekhanya
Mabuti Potloane
SepiritiMalefane
Tšepo Lekhoana
Basia Makepe
KananeloMakhooane
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