Lesotho’s national football team, Likuena, has made another early exit from the COSAFA Cup, bowing out of the 2025 edition during the group stages after a mixed but ultimately disappointing campaign.
Likuena opened their Group B run on a positive note, edging Malawi 1–0 in a promising start that sparked hopes of a repeat of their impressive 2023 performance, when they finished as runners-up.
However, those hopes were short-lived, as the team went on to suffer two heavy defeats in their remaining fixtures, bringing their tournament journey to a premature end.
Last Sunday, Likuena were humbled 4-0 by Angola in a lopsided affair that exposed serious defensive frailties. Just two days later, they endured another bruising defeat, this time a 3-0 loss to Namibia, sealing their fate.
Both matches were played in Bloemfontein, South Africa, the host city for this year’s tournament.
Likuena ultimately finished third in Group B, collecting just three points from their lone victory. Angola and Namibia advanced as the top two sides, while Malawi joined Lesotho in bowing out early.
Group B had been widely regarded as one of the more open and evenly matched groups in the tournament, without any standout favourite, making Lesotho’s early exit all the more frustrating for fans and football officials alike.
This latest elimination continues a concerning trend for Likuena, who also failed to progress past the group stage in 2024, a year after their impressive 2023 run. It reinforces the perception of inconsistency and highlights the rebuilding phase the national team is currently navigating.
Head coach Lesley Notši had taken a developmental approach to the tournament, naming a youthful squad largely made up of players from the domestic league. He maintained that the experience gained by the young players would be vital in the long run.
“This is a learning experience for them. We will go back, assess ourselves, and work on correcting our mistakes,” Notši said in his post-match press conference.
The coach acknowledged that the team had significant shortcomings, particularly in defence and finishing.
“Our major downfall was failing to defend properly from the back,” he admitted. “In a tournament like this, winning matches is crucial as it gives you a better chance of progressing to the next round.”
Despite the setbacks, Notši praised the commitment of his players and expressed optimism for their future.
“The boys worked hard and showed their capabilities, proving that they won’t go down without a fight,” he added, emphasising the importance of international exposure for younger players.
With the COSAFA Cup now over for Lesotho, all eyes turn to their remaining three fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for September and November 2025. These matches offer another crucial opportunity for Likuena’s young squad to develop and compete against stronger opposition.
Summary
- Likuena opened their Group B run on a positive note, edging Malawi 1–0 in a promising start that sparked hopes of a repeat of their impressive 2023 performance, when they finished as runners-up.
- Those hopes were short-lived, as the team went on to suffer two heavy defeats in their remaining fixtures, bringing their tournament journey to a premature end.
- Group B had been widely regarded as one of the more open and evenly matched groups in the tournament, without any standout favourite, making Lesotho’s early exit all the more frustrating for fans and football officials alike.
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