2026 WCQ: Lesotho lost composure and got punished by Bafana Bafana – Notsi

Photo Credit - Bafana Bafana - South Africa.

Lesotho coach Leslie Notsi has explained what led to their 2-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat against South Africa at a packed Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, on Friday.

The two COSAFA neighbours faced off in a Group C battle and Likuena were not willing to crack as they defended well to take a dominant Bafana side to a 0-0 draw at the half-time break. The second half started with Likuena still defending but they only did so until the 60th minute when they finally caved in.

A masterclass performance saw Relebohile Mofokeng open the scoring in the 60th minute following some fine work from Elias Mokwana, who glided past several Lesotho defenders before delivering the final pass to the unmarked Mofokeng, who controlled the ball before finding the bottom right corner.

Bafana fans had barely caught their breath when Jayden Adams increased the lead three minutes later to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. Lesotho had bravely kept the home side at bay until the three minutes that changed the match.

Speaking afterwards, Notsi said: “In the 60th minute, that is when we lost composure and we conceded. Within three minutes, we conceded again and I think that is where we lost the game.”

He continued: “It was all about lapse of concentration at a very critical time, it is the reason we lost the game. But I must admit there are a lot of good attributes that came from this game that will take on, going forward, with the remaining matches.

“Yes, we are disappointed with the outcome but truly speaking with the way the boys’ protected themselves they believed that they could get something from the game, and there is a lot of progress in our team.”

The final score could have been a lot more worse for the neighbouring country had the South African senior men’s national team converted all the chances they created.

The win pushed Bafana top of the pile with 10 points from five matches while remained fifth with five points from the same number of matches. South Africa will travel to face Benin at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Lesotho will travel to face Rwanda, who lost 2-0 against Nigeria in another group fixture on Friday, at Amahoro Stadium.