Bafana fall to Lesotho in CHAN qualifier

Bafana Bafana went down 3-2 to Lesotho in the Africa Nations Championship 2020 first-leg qualifier on Sunday afternoon.   Bafana utilised the under-23 national side for the 2020 African Nations Championship qualifier that did duty in the recent Cosafa Cup tournament in the KwaZulu Natal province, although a large majority of that squad was unavailable.   Lesotho made a telling start in the first five minutes from kickoff, going in front through expertise of Tsepo Seturumane.   The youthful Bafana tried to grab an intimidate response quickly thereafter, but the Sotho side locked the doors to any potential breakthrough.   A forceful substitution from the South Africans was needed on 39 minutes, as Bongokuhle Hlongwane replaced Zama Rambuwane subsequently through injury.   David Notoane's side found their way back through a penalty in time added on which Tercious Malepe tucked away comfortably.   Bafana applied intense pressure on the hosts in the earlier minutes, with a vicious free-kick from Athenkosi Dladla posing a serious threat.   Likuena received their just rewards after 71 minutes of play after Tercious Malepe handled inside the area, prompting Makara Ntaitsane to finish from 12-yards.   Notoane instigated the first change of the game four minutes later, with Golden Arrows hard man Siboniso Conco sacrificed for Luvuyo Phewa. The substitution worked wonders after Phewa was on the end of a well-worked move to level matters in the final five minutes.   Likuena however had the last laugh with Lehlohonolo Fothoane firing the winner in the final minute of added time for a decent first-leg win with the return-leg set for next Sunday in Dobsonville.