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Lesotho beat Zimbabwe to claim top spot
Rethabile Rasethuntsa of Lesotho celebrates goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 match between Zimbabwe and Lesotho at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 07 June 2024 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Friday Jun 07, 2024. 17:16
Lesotho secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match played at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday.
The win saw Likuena climb to the top of the Group C standings while the Warriors remain sixth on the table. Lesotho will host second-placed Rwanda on 11 June, while Zimbabwe will be away to fourth-placed South Africa on the same day.
Although the Warriors dominated possession from the start, Likuena looked dangerous whenever they pushed forward. Lesotho took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Rethabile Rasethuntsa hit the back of the net with Thabo Matsoele providing the assist.
Zimbabwe surged forward in numbers as they looked to level matters, but they were left vulnerable at the back. Leslie Notsi’s men doubled their lead after Lehlohonolo Fothoane played a lovely pass to Jane Thabantso who fired past goalkeeper Bernard Donovan in the 31st minute and Lesotho were leading 2-0 at half-time.
The Warriors launched attacks after the restart and coach Jairos Tapera decided to make a change in the 68th minute – introducing Walter Musona. The Simba Bhora attacker had scored a stunning goal as Zimbabwe drew 1-1 with Nigeria in a Group C encounter last year.
However, Likuena defended very well in the latter stages of the encounter with coach Leslie Notsi having made a tactical change – pulling out striker Motebang Sera and replacing him with Teboho Letsema. Ultimately, the match ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of Lesotho who were able to contain Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe (0) 0
Lesotho (2) 2 (Rasethuntsa 21′, Thabantso 31′)
Zimbabwe XI: Donovan, Mbeba, Takwara, Hadebe, Lunga, Munetsi, Rinomhota, Chirewa (W. Musona 68′), Zemura (Maswanhise 46′), Msendami, Kadewere (Machope 46′).
Lesotho XI: Moerane, Malane, Makhele, Rasethuntsa, Matsoele, Lebokollane, Matsau (Lesaoana 64′), Fothoane (Toloane 64′), Sefali, Thabantso, Sera (Letsema 82′).
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