Lesotho sink Zimbabwe, Mozambique prevail in World Cup qualifiers

Ahram Online , Friday 7 Jun 2024

Lesotho claimed a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe away at the Johannesburg Stadium in South Africa on Friday, climbing to the top of Group C in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Lesotho
FILE - Ivory Coast's #4 Jean Michel Seri fights for the ball with Lesotho's #22 Thabo Lesaona and Lesotho's #13 Rethabile Senkote during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group H match between Ivory Coast and Lesotho at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San-Pedro on September 9, 2023. Photo: AFP

 

Rethabile Rasethuntsa opened the scoring for Lesotho in the 21st minute, putting the visitors ahead early.

Ten minutes later, Jane Thaba Ntso doubled their advantage, leaving Zimbabwe with a mountain to climb.

The win takes Lesotho to the top of the group on five points from three matches, while Zimbabwe slump to the bottom with only two points.

Meanwhile, in Group G, Mozambique secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Somalia in Maputo.

Alfons Amade put the Mozambicans ahead in the 14th minute, with Stanley Ratifo extending their lead in the 29th minute.

Somalia pulled a goal back through Ismail Shirwa in the 66th minute, but it was not enough as Mozambique held on to claim all three points.

The result sees Mozambique move level on points with group leaders Algeria and Guinea, while Somalia remain pointless and rooted to the bottom of the table.

Elsewhere, Group F witnessed a closely contested 1-1 draw between Kenya and Burundi in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Duke Abuya gave Kenya the lead in the 72nd minute, but their celebrations were short-lived as Abdallah Sudi equalized for Burundi just 13 minutes later.

The draw leaves Kenya in third place with four points, one ahead of Burundi on goal difference.

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