Lesotho eye Chipolopolo scalp

by BackPageTXT

Tuesday Jun 21, 2016. 08:55

Having suffered a heartbreaking defeat to South Africa in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Cosafa Castle Cup, the mountainous nation will be hoping for success in the Plate competition.

Standing in Lesotho's way of reaching the final is a Zambia outfit who were ousted from the penalty spot for the second year running.

George Lwandamina's men lost to eventual champions Namibia from the spot at the same stage last year with the four-time winners denied a shot at a fifth title by an impressive Swaziland outfit this time around.

Zambia went on to beat Ghana 3-0 in the Plate semifinal in South Africa 12 months ago, before losing to Malawi in the final.

As for Lesotho, the 2000 Cosafa Cup runners-up suffered defeat in similar fashion to that of Zambia, losing 4-2 on penalties to Bafana Bafana.

Jane Thaba-Ntšo handed Likuena the lead before Gift Motupa leveled matters for Shakes Mashaba's troops. In the ensuing penalty-shootout; SuperSport United bound goal-minder Reyaad Pieterse saved two penalties to knock Lesotho out of the Cup competition.

The two side's have met on three previous occasions at the Southern African showpiece.

At the inaugural edition in 1997, Chipolopolo registered a 2-0 win. Three years later Lesotho got their revenge - winning on penalties - with the two team's last Cosafa Cup meeting leading up to the clash in Windhoek, coming a year later.

Zambia winning 2-1 with the two teams having avoided each other in Cosafa Cup tournaments ever since.

Mozambique and Namibia lock horns in the second-semifinal

Kick-off at the Sam Nujoma Stadium is scheduled for 18h00. CLICK HERE TO VISIT AFRICAN FOOTBALL ZAMBIA