AFCON (Q): Lesotho come back to avoid shock defeat to Seychelles

Lesotho came close to suffering a shock early elimination from 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying on Sunday but Likuena fought back from a first half deficit to defeat Seychelles 2-1 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Lesotho 🇱🇸 take the lead!

After conceding a shock goal, Likuena have overturned the deficit to take a 2-1 lead over Seychelles 🇸🇨 in South Africa.

In the final minutes now, Lesotho lead 2-1 on aggregate.#TotalEnergiesAFCON #AFCON #AFCONQ #AFCON2027 pic.twitter.com/YhAVaY143o

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) March 29, 2026

Sera Motebang’s late header from a free kick completed the comeback after a disastrous first half saw the favorites fall behind.

In first half stoppage time, Likuena goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane experienced a moment of madness that saw the captain and star player concede a shock opener. After the ball was cleared following an attacking movement from Lesotho, Moerane was caught far off his line and the resulting shot was looped over the stranded goalkeeper into an empty net.

The goal was particularly concerning. Both legs were played in Bloemfontein but Seychelles were considered the away team in the second leg, making it an away goal that allowed the islanders to hold the edge in the tiebreaker if the aggregate score ended level.

Seychelles 🇸🇨 have taken the lead against Lesotho 🇱🇸.

Lesotho star goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane was caught woefully out of position.

Both legs are being played in South Africa, but this is Lesotho’s “home” leg which means it is a crucial away goal for 🇸🇨.… pic.twitter.com/wtAneui3NK

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) March 29, 2026

But throughout the match, Lesotho dominated and continued to create opportunities with Seychelles holding on for dear life. Early in the second half, Lesotho received a major momentum boost when Lebohang Lesako equalized.

The barrage of attacks continued from Likuena and the crucial breakthrough finally arrived in the final fifteen minutes through South-Africa based striker Motebang.

Two nations book their place in AFCON qualifying group stage

Lesotho join South Sudan in advancing to the group stage of qualifying from the preliminary round. South Sudan lost 0-1 earlier on Sunday to Djibouti but advanced with a 4-1 aggregate victory courtesy of their 4-0 first leg victory in Juba.