The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has confirmed that Likuena, the national football team, will face Angola in the second round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers after securing a dramatic 4-3 penalty victory over Namibia. The win, which came after a tense 1-1 draw on aggregate, means that Lesotho will now battle Angola for a coveted spot in next year’s CHAN tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The match against Namibia was a hard-fought contest. In the first leg, Lesotho managed to draw first blood, taking an early lead, but Namibia fought back in the second leg, where they equalized through a second-half strike by Lawrence Doeseb. With both teams tied on aggregate, the match went into penalties, and Lesotho held their nerve, winning 4-3 in the shootout to advance.
The upcoming match against Angola will be a crucial test for Likuena, as the winner of this second-round clash will secure a place in the 2025 CHAN tournament. The competition is unique in that it only allows players who are active in their country’s domestic leagues to participate, making it a significant platform for local talent.
The Lesotho Football Association expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete against Angola, emphasizing that the upcoming fixtures will be an important opportunity for the national team to showcase their skills on the continental stage. The team’s performance against Namibia has given them momentum, and they will be hoping to carry that forward into the next round.
With the stakes high, Lesotho’s players will need to remain focused as they prepare for Angola, knowing that a victory will not only earn them a spot in the CHAN tournament but also bring them closer to representing their country on the prestigious African football stage.
