Moerane inspires Lesotho to Cosafa Cup final

Lesotho beat Malawi 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their 2023 Cosafa Cup semifinal match played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Friday afternoon.

The win saw Likuena reach the final of the regional tournament for the second time and they will now lock horns with either Zambia or hosts South Africa in Sunday's final.

Malawi, on the other hand, saw their hopes of winning the tournament fade away and they are now set to take part in Sunday's third-place playoff match.

Likuena started brightly with the impressive Neo Mokhachane looking lively and he provided the assist when Jane Thabantso netted in the 18th minute to hand Lesotho the lead.

The Flames responded by exerting pressure on the Likuena defence and they were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute, and Chawanangwa converted it to make it 1-1 - his second goal in as many matches.

Lesotho were then reduced to 10 players on the stroke of halftime when Motlomelo Mkhwanazi was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the game and the score was 1-1 at the interval.

Despite being numerically disadvantaged, Likuena were able to contain the Flames who were poor in the final third in the second half and the game ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time and a penalty shootout followed.

Sekhoane Moerane was the hero in the shootout as the 25-year-old goalkeeper saved three spot-kicks to inspire Lesotho to a 3-0 victory on penalties.

Malawi (1) 1 (Kaonga 26')

Malawi: Munthali (Nyusulu 88'), Sanudi, Chembezi, Mwase, Lungu, Idana, Mwaungulu (Chirwa 59'), Aaron, Kaonga (Macheso 69'), Nkhoma, Kumwembe (Mphasi 88').

Lesotho: Moerane, Makepe, Mkhwanazi, Rasethuntša, Malane, Lebokollane (Toloane 89'), Bereng (Tseka 46'), Thabantso, Lesaoana, Mokhachane, Sefali (Sera 82').