Bokang Malaka
MASERU-Lesotho’s hope of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has come to an end. Despite winning 1-0 against the Central African Republic (CAR) at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, they finished third in Group B, with Gabon taking the final qualifying spot.
In a post-match interview, Lesotho’s coach, Leslie Notsi, shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and their journey in the qualifiers. “We have been improving, but not winning games. This match was an opportunity to get maximum points and to give our supporters something to cheer about. Most importantly, it was a chance for our young players to gain international exposure, and we are satisfied with the points we got,” he said.
The coach also spoke about the experience of playing in Bloemfontein, which is close to home. “The stadium here feels like home because of the warm hospitality we’ve received from the people in this city,” he added.
The group was led by Morocco with 12 points, followed by Gabon with 7 points. Lesotho finished third, while CAR took the bottom spot with 3 points. Even with one match remaining against Morocco on November 18, 2024, the result will not change Lesotho’s fate, as they can no longer qualify.
Over the course of the qualifiers, Lesotho scored just two goals and conceded six, finishing with a goal difference of -4. Despite moments of determination and effort, the team could not maintain the consistency required to compete at the highest level.
Coach Leslie Notsi and his team now face the challenge of regrouping and preparing for future tournaments. While the results may be disappointing, the team showed glimpses of potential that could be built upon with better preparation and support.