COSAFA Cup: Zambia suffers shock first defeat to Lesotho

Zambia gave away a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at the hands of Lesotho in their opening game of the 2021 COSAFA Cup tournament.

Justin Shonga opened the scores in the 29th minute with a close-range finish from a rebound after Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane failed to deal with a Gamphani Lungu strike.

However, Substitute Motebag Sera struck twice to secure a 2-1 win for Lesotho and handing Zambia their first loss of the tournament which they are aiming to defend. The Crocodiles started with a 3-1 loss to Eswatini in their opening game on Monday.

Zambia’s loss has thrown Group A wide open at the regional showpiece tournament in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Hosts South Africa grabbed a 1-0 victory over the 10 men of Eswatini to head the pool with a full haul of six points from their two games.

Eswatini and Lesotho are second and third respectively while Zambia and Botswana are fourth and fifth without a point to their names. Next up for Zambia is Eswatini on Saturday.

Full Time

Zambia 1- 2 Lesotho

(Justin Shonga 29’| M. Sera 70′)

,88′)

ZAMBIA XI: Kennedy Mweene, Benedict Chepeshi, Adrian Chama Benson Sakala Kelvin Mubanga (Moses Phiri 66′), Salulani Phiri (Spencer Sautu 66′), Gamphani Lungu, Justin Shonga (Brian Mwila 67′), Rodrick Kabwe, Kabaso Chongo, Augustine Mulenga