Lesotho bounce back

BOITUMELO RABALE scored a hat-trick to help Lesotho register their first win in the Cosafa Women’s Championship at Rufaro yesterday.
Lesotho, who lost their first match 4-0 to the super-charged Mighty Warriors in the opening match on Saturday, won the hearts of many neutrals with their nice build-ups.
Mozambique were the first to score through double scorer Amelia Banze in the 12th minute after she connected home a cross from Augusta Massingue.
Lesotho equalised in the 14th minute after the Mozambican defence failed to clear their lines following a corner to enable Rabele to head the ball home.
Rabele came back to haunt Mozambique in the 24th minute when she exchanged some good passes with Kefuoe Makoa before firing the ball past an out-of-sorts Celeste Cuna, in goals for Mozambique.
Mozambique’s Banze completed her brace in the 30th minute when she scored from a free-kick, hit from outside the box. Rabele completed her hat-trick a minute from the breather when she also scored off a free-kick from the edge of the box. Lesotho coach Likhetho Mokhathi was happy with the win and promised that his charges will maintain their good run.
“It was a good win for the girls especially coming from that setback against Zimbabwe. Our team is made up of mostly Under-20 players and it’s a big achievement for them.
“We are looking forward to our next game against Malawi and hopefully we will be able to carry on from our today’s form,” said Mokhathi.
Mozambican coach Carlos Manuel believes his team conceded soft goals, which contributed to their defeat.
“It was a good match but unfortunately we lost. My team was fighting and had it not for the soft goals which we conceded, I think we could have done better,” said Manuel.

“We failed to score enough goals to win but we are not under any pressure as we are building a team for the All-Africa Games in September.
“We are playing Zimbabwe in our next game and we are looking forward to a better result,” said Manuel.
Teams
Lesotho: R. Mokoatsi, B. Motene, N. Khakhanyo, N. Mapota, N. Setoko, P. Tomo, P. Mpeta (M. Nalama 45th minute), K. Makoa (M. Nalana 80th minute), B. Rabale, M. Mosoeu, L. Toloane (M. Kepa 65th minute).
Mozambique: C. Cuna, A. Ngale, T. Monjane (G. Nhavene 60th minute), I. Chambal, L. Mocambique, A. Massingue, I. Chinguelese, A. Banze, C. Bernardo (A. Camussi 60th minute), S. Simone, C. Wate.