COSAFA Women’s Championship: Lesotho coach slams players for silly goals

Lesotho senior women’s team coach Shalane Lehohla has slammed his players for abandoning the game-plan during the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Angola in the COSAFA Women’s Championship opener in South Africa on Wednesday.

In a post-match interview with the COSAFA media, the Mehalalitoe boss said all was well for the better part of the Group A until when his players got swayed by their lion’s share of possession even though they had not yet scored.

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Eventful and exhilarating football experiences at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. #CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/0PQ1870JbW

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“We started the game well,” the coach reflected on the match. “We had a good shape, and we tried to control the ball, and that is what we did in the first 30 minutes.

“It was evident that Angola wanted to come out of the flanks and attack with crosses. We managed it well, but during the game, we lapsed and when they got the first goal, it brought my players down and they eventually got the second goal.”

Lehohla justifies ‘silly goals’ remarks

Lehohla bemoaned his players’ failure to stick to what they had agreed before the game: stopping Angola’s crosses into the box.

“Overall, I can say we played according to our plan,” he added. “It is just that there are times players lose focus and try to do things differently because of excitement.

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“We got excited because we looked better during the first half of the game. We created a lot of chances, and that got into my players’ heads.

“We got excited and lost concentration, and that is why we conceded those two silly goals. I can say they were silly goals because that is what we discussed during the water break, that they were trying to come with crosses and we must try to manage our space well, but they didn’t.”

Lesotho’s coach expects his players to right the wrongs when meeting Malawi on Saturday in the group’s second match.

The other meeting will be between joint leaders Angola and South Africa who beat the Scorchers on Wednesday.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Fixtures

Thursday, February 19

Eswatini vs Zimbabwe – Group B – 12h00, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

Zambia vs Botswana – Group B – 15h00, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

Friday, February 20

Mozambique vs Namibia – Group C – 15h00, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

Saturday, February 21

Malawi vs Lesotho – Group A – 12h00, Seshego Stadium

South Africa vs Angola – Group A – 15h00, Seshego Stadium