Mehalalitoe lose opening game to Zimbabwe
In their opening game of the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship, Mehalalitoe endured a tough 3-0 defeat against Zimbabwe in Group D at the Madibaz Stadium, Gqeberha.
It was a critical match for both sides, with each needing a win to stay competitive in their three-team group. Despite flashes of promising play, Lesotho’s national women’s team struggled to find the finishing touch, ultimately falling short in the second half.
The game started with Zimbabwe pressing high, putting Mehalalitoe’s defence under immediate pressure. In the 10th minute, Zimbabwe was awarded a penalty after Nteboheleng Ramatsoku brought down an opponent in the box. However, Zimbabwe’s Alice Moyo hit the crossbar, allowing Mehalalitoe a sigh of relief as they cleared the ball.
Mehalalitoe soon found their rhythm and created several opportunities, notably through Royal AM striker Litšeoane Maloro. Maloro came close to breaking the deadlock with a shot from a tight angle that zipped across the goal without a teammate to tap it in.
Another chance followed in a chaotic scramble in Zimbabwe’s box, but despite multiple attempts, Mehalalitoe could not capitalise. Their most promising opportunity came when a Zimbabwean defender’s errant header put Maloro in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, but again, they could not finish.
The second half saw Zimbabwe take control. Ethel Chinyerere broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, delivering a morale blow to Mehalalitoe. Just nine minutes later, Christabel Katona doubled Zimbabwe’s lead, and Chinyerere sealed the result with her second goal, making it 3-0. The result leaves Mehalalitoe rooted at the bottom of Group D with just one game to go.
Group D log
POS | TEAM | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
1. | Mozambique | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
2. | Zimbabwe | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
3. | Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
Post-match, head coach Shalane Lehohla acknowledged the toll Zimbabwe’s opening goal took on his players’ confidence. While he praised their effort and commitment to the game plan, he emphasised the need to address their as they prepare for their must-win encounter against Mozambique.
“After Zimbabwe scored first there were lot of mistakes, others their confidence dropped but you can say the players tried to do everything we worked on. It’s just that competition itself will treat you differently, but that’s where you grow. What’s important is to go fix the mistakes,” he said
“This last game it will be a fight, Zimbabwe lost the first game, Mozambique won and they will want to win this one and we also want to win. It will be difficult for us because we have to score lot of goals because we conceded a lot,” he continued.
Mehalalitoe will return to the field on Tuesday, knowing they need a high-scoring victory to improve their goal difference and stay in contention. This game served as a tough but valuable lesson for Mehalalitoe, who will have to sharpen their finishing and defensive solidity to turn around their campaign.
Mehalalitoe starting team
Makibinyane, Motšoeneng (Mphou), Mapepesa (C), Maloro (Moloi), Namane, Ramatsoku (Mohlolo), Khashane, Molefe, Potsane, Makhabane, Khakanyo (Ntsane)
Tlalane Phahla