Lesotho upset Angola 5-4 on post-match penalties to make it to the semi-finals of the Cosafa Cup

McDonald Mariga during a past encounter. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

By GILBERT WANDERA

Lesotho upset Angola 5-4 on post-match penalties to make it to the semi-finals of the Cosafa Cup in a match played at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

The match had ended 1-1 at full time and had to be decided through penalties becoming the second fixture to be decided that way after defending champions Zimbabwe needed penalties as well to dispatch Malawi from the quarters.

It was, however, Angola who went ahead first when  Cristiviao Paciencia scored their opener in the 25th minute with a stunning 25 yard screamer.

Lesotho fought back aggressively and turned around the match in their favour. It was always a question of when they would equalise and Thapelo Tale did just that in the 40th minute setting the stage for an exciting battle in the second half.

MARIGA’S RETURN

Meanwhile, Harambee  Stars coach Adel Amrouche wants injury-prone Inter-Milan midfielder Macdonald Mariga for the teams last World Cup qualifying match against Namibia  in September.

Speaking at Nkolana Stadium in Lusaka  after watching Namibia go down 2-1 to South Africa, the Kenyan coach said he believes Mariga has what it takes to help his side pick their first win the qualifiers.

He said: “Watching Namibia, it is easy to see that they are a highly tactical side and have a great fighting spirit. However, they don’t have a strong goalkeeper and we need someone who can shoot and this is where Mariga comes in. He is strong and compact and will be a great help in midfield.”

Amrouche added that Mariga’s leadership abilities will be another positive to the team especially after he stripped Dennis Oliech of the captaincy and gave it to Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama.

great captain

“Wanyama is a great captain but has some way to go in as so far as leadership is concerned. In having Mariga, the team will have an immediate leader and that is what we need ahead of the Namibia match,” said the coach.

“It is obvious that they have been together for a long time and the players understand each other well. With good preparations, it is possible to stop them in Nairobi,” he said.       

In Kitwe, the second quarter-final match was won by hosts Zambia who hit Mozambique 3-1 with goals coming from Bornwell Mwape who found the back of the net in the 11th min ute,  Jimmy Mulilo in the 27th minute and Moses Phiri in the 78th minute.  Aspone Majari scored for Mozambique in the 85th minute.

Zambia will play South Africa in the tomorrow’s semi-final match.