Lesotho edged rivals Botswana on goal difference to take top place in Group B as they turned the Cosafa Cup on its head at the end of the group phase on Thursday. A 2-0 win for Lesotho over Swaziland in Zambia’s capital Lusaka was enough for them to finish at the helm and book a Sunday meeting with Angola in the quarter-finals. Botswana is eliminated despite beating Kenya 2-1 in Kitwe at the same time. Lesotho and Botswana both finished on five points but Lesotho ended with a plus two goal difference to plus one for the Zebras. The decisive goal in the group came just before half-time at the Nkoloma Stadium when Tsepo Seturumane scored with a touch of individual brilliance, rifling in a long range shot that caught the Swazi goalkeeper unawares. That gave Lesotho a two goal cushion after Philip Letsie’ opening effort in the 23rd minute and ultimately prove the turning point. Lesotho were playing their third game in four days and at time found themselves outplayed by Swaziland but overcame obvious tiredness to ensure their success. The Swazis, who finished with just a single point from their three group games, failed to take their chances as they lacked conviction in attack. Instead Lesotho kept up their unbeaten run after their dramatic come-from-behind performance against Botswana on Tuesday when they forced a draw with their last kick of the match. Kenya were in pole position before the start of Thursday’s final group matches but found themselves behind early when Lempoye Tshireletso drilled home a free kick in the 12th minute to give the Zebras the lead. It stayed that way until just two minutes from the end when Kenya suddenly revived their hopes by equalising late and then came agonisingly close, straight afterwards, to adding a second. A win would have been enough for the Harambee Stars to triumph but they allowed Botswana to win the game with the last action for the match as Jerome Ramatlhakwane powered home a close range header for his fourth goal of the tournament. Botswana leaves the tournament despite being unbeaten in their three group games.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 16:10:44 +0000
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