COSAFA Cup: Lesotho's late goal douses Malawi's Flames
- Peter Kanjere
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Substitute Maraka Ntsaitsane’s late goal handed Lesotho a 1-0 win over Malawi after VAR intervention at the 2025 COSAFA Cup in South Africa on Thursday, June 5.
The result sent Lesotho to the Group B summit pending the outcome of a second match of the day between holders Angola and Namibia at the same Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Malawi dominated proceedings in the first half but lacked firepower upfront where centre-forward Zeliet Nkhoma was isolated and too mobile to offer Kalisto Pasuwa’s men enough presence in Lesotho’s penalty box.
To their credit, Lesle Notsi’s men defended narrow and attacked with direct long balls into the channels, only allowing their opponents attack space in the wide areas, knowing they would pump the ball into the box in vain.
Lesotho threatened to score in the 18th minute when midfielder Teboho Toloane volleyed his effort over the bar after arriving at the near-post to connect Lehlohonolo Fothoane’s short freekick close to the corner kick.
A few minutes later, Letsema fired from long range, his effort flying off target. With three minutes remaining, Letsema was, again, presented a perfect opportunity, but he fired straight at Malawi keeper Chikooka. The Flames defender had cleared a ball from the left onto the path of the winger for Lesotho.
The first half ended with the Flames making two attempts, both off target, while Lesotho registered one effort on target from four attempts.
The second half did not start well for the Flames as they lost skipper Paipi to a leg injury, with Andrew Jovinala taking up his place while Nkhoma was also withdrawn for Promise Kamwendo in the 55th minute.
Such changes failed to have a meaningful impact on the Flames. Instead, it was Lesotho that got rewarded after Ntsaitsane reacted the quickest to meet a long ball into the box and slot past Chiooka while Malawi’s defence retreated, hoping for an offside. VAR ruled otherwise.
Malawi’s next game is against Namibia on June 8 while Lesotho take on Angola.
