Lesotho’s U17 girls national football team kicked off their 2025 COSAFA campaign in style, securing a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Botswana in their opening match at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
The tightly contested encounter, played on Monday, saw both sides display determination and resilience, but it was Lesotho who found the breakthrough in the second half to claim all three points.
Lesotho’s winning goal came courtesy of a well-executed finish by forward Thato Mokhachane in the 62nd minute, following a swift counter-attack that caught Botswana’s defence off guard. Mokhachane showed great composure in front of goal, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to give her side the lead.
Despite Botswana’s efforts to equalize, Lesotho’s defence remained resolute, with goalkeeper Lineo Makhalemele making a series of key saves to preserve her side’s slender advantage.
Speaking after the match, Lesotho’s head coach, ‘Mapaseka Mohlomi, praised her team’s discipline and fighting spirit. “The girls gave everything on the pitch today. We knew it would be a tough match, but our tactical discipline and teamwork made the difference,” she said.
The victory places Lesotho in a strong position in Group A as they aim to progress to the knockout stages of the regional tournament. The COSAFA U17 Girls Championship, organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, plays a vital role in nurturing young talent and giving girls a platform to shine on the international stage.
Lesotho will now turn their focus to their next group match, where they will look to build on this positive start and continue their quest for regional glory.
The 2025 edition of the tournament has attracted teams from across Southern Africa and is expected to be a showcase of the region’s emerging stars in women’s football.
