Litsitso Letsunyane
In a friendly clash at the Addis Ababa Stadium on March 21st, Lesotho’s national football team, Likuena, left their name in the beautiful country of Ethiopia with a remarkable 2-1 victory over Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex in an international friendly match.
Despite Ethiopia’s dominance in previous encounters, with two wins and four draws to their credit, Likuena entered the fray with determination and resolve. The match saw Likuena create promising opportunities in the first half, with Motebang Sera narrowly missing a chance in the 25th minute. However, it was Jane Thabantšo who broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, slipping past the defense to slot the ball past Ethiopian goalkeeper Seid Hablamu.
As the first half drew to a close, Likuena star goalee, Sekhoarane Moerane stunned the crowd once more, this time with an extraordinary long-range goal from inside his half, extending their lead to a comfortable 2-0.
Ethiopia emerged the better team in the second half, pressing forward relentlessly. Their efforts bore fruit in the 51st minute, courtesy of Mesfin Tafesse’s goal, offering consolation and glimmer of hope amidst Likuena’s dominance.
Reflecting on the victory, Likuena coach Leslie Notši acknowledged the challenges his team faced. “The game was very tough because we were expecting a formidable challenge from Ethiopia as they are an experienced side that have played in competitions like the AFCON” Notši remarked. “In the second half, they came back strongly, but we managed to apply pressure and secure the win.”
Notši emphasized the significance of the lessons learned from the encounter, citing Ethiopia’s strategic prowess and the resilience of their players. He expressed optimism about Likuena’s growth prospects moving forward.
The victory marks a significant win for Likuena, as they secure their first-ever triumph over Ethiopia, a testament to their hard work and determination. It serves as a morale boost for the team, instilling confidence as they continue their preparations for the Fifa World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
These two teams will clash again for the second leg of their friendly on March 24th at Addis Ababa Stadium and this will be the match that concludes Likuena’s East Africa Tour.
