Seabata Mahao
Likuena’s hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have taken a severe blow after suffering a second consecutive defeat.
The Lesotho national football team was narrowly beaten 1-0 by Morocco in their latest Group B clash, with a last-gasp goal sealing their fate.
The heartbreaking moment came in the 93rd minute when Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, introduced from the bench in the second half, scored a stoppage-time winner, breaking Likuena’s resolve.
Diaz, along with Morocco’s captain Hakim Ziyech, was brought on to inject fresh energy into the Atlas Lions’ attack, and their presence ultimately made the difference.
Morocco entered the match riding high after a 4-1 victory over Gabon, while Lesotho was coming off a 3-1 loss to the Central African Republic. From the outset, Morocco dominated possession and dictated the pace of the game, but they found it difficult to break down Likuena’s stubborn defence, expertly marshalled by the captain, Sekhoane Moerane.
Moerane put in a heroic performance, making several crucial saves to keep his side in contention. The first half ended goalless, with Lesotho holding firm despite Morocco’s relentless pressure.
In a bold tactical move, Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui made four substitutions at the start of the second half, including the introduction of Ziyech and Diaz. The changes increased Morocco’s attacking threat, but chances remained limited for both sides. Likuena’s best opportunity came through talisman Motebang Sera, while Lehlohonolo Matsau sent a long-range effort high over the bar.
As the match seemed destined for a draw, Diaz found space in the dying minutes, finally breaking through Lesotho’s defence to score and secure Morocco’s second victory of the qualifiers.
In a post-match interview, Likuena’s head coach, Leslie Notši, acknowledged the difficulty of the match.
“It was a tough encounter, and while we didn’t get the result we wanted, I am proud of the players. They stuck to the game plan and showed great character,” he said.
“There’s a lot we can take from this match moving forward. We have the potential to become a very competitive team.”
Likuena’s journey back home saw the team travel from Morocco to Southern Africa, with local players and staff returning to Maseru by bus, while international-based players flew to their respective clubs. Motebang Sera and Thabo Makhele returned to their South African clubs Royal AM and Chippa United to prepare for the new PSL season. Meanwhile, Neo Mokhachane rejoined Jwaneng Galaxy ahead of their CAF Champions League fixture against Orlando Pirates.
The second loss condemned Likuena to the bottom of group B table, with zero points and a negative goal difference of -3. And despite the setback, Likuena will take lessons from this hard-fought contest as they continue their quest for AFCON qualification from their four remaining qualifier games.
For Morocco, the result was less about points and more about experimentation. With their place at AFCON 2025 already secured as the host nation, the Atlas Lions used the match to test different tactical approaches and give younger players valuable international experience.
Though they struggled to dominate as they had in previous matches, Morocco’s ability to secure a last-minute win highlighted their resilience and determination.
