On Friday, August 16th, Lesotho’s U-20 national team, Makoanyane XI, suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of South Africa’s U-20 national team, Amajita, at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena. Despite the best efforts of Makoanyane XI, their visitors proved to be the stronger side, securing a well-earned victory. This match marks the second loss for Makoanyane XI in their last three encounters with Amajita, the other being a narrow win.
Both teams will meet again in another international friendly on Sunday, August 18th at 3 pm, also at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena. The upcoming game promises another thrilling clash, as Makoanyane XI seek to bounce back with renewed tactical focus.
Match Recap: Makoanyane XI vs. Amajita
The match began with high intensity, with both teams creating several opportunities. Makoanyane XI made an impressive start, with star player Paseka Maile causing trouble for the South African defense with his dangerous runs down the left flank. However, Amajita’s counter-attacking prowess was decisive, with players like Mfundo Vilakazi, Mabena, and Ofentse Kgosana exploiting space around the Lesotho box.
In the 20th minute, South African youngster Vilakazi opened the scoring, putting Amajita ahead. Just seven minutes later, Kutlwano Lethlaku doubled their lead, leaving Makoanyane XI trailing by two goals. Nevertheless, Makoanyane’s bright spot came towards the end of the first half, as Paseka Maile capitalized on a moment of brilliance to score a consolation goal, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Makoanyane XI, under Coach Halemakale Mahlaha, was on a defensive 5-4-1 formation, hoping to contain the attacking threat of Amajita. Yet, despite the cautious setup, they struggled to contain the dynamic movements of players like Mabena and Kgosana. The situation could have been much worse if not for the exceptional performance of 17-year-old goalkeeper Mofoka Leluma. Leluma showcased excellent command, positioning, and reflexes, earning the crowd’s admiration despite the result.
Makoanyane XI found it challenging to maintain possession and create space in Amajita’s half. Their reliance on Maile became evident, with most attacks directed through the left side. As the match progressed, the Lesotho side increased their attacking tempo, but they couldn’t find a way past Amajita’s Benfica academy goalkeeper, Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.
With four minutes of extra time left, Amajita’s Shakeel April capitalized on a defensive lapse, sealing the 3-1 victory for South Africa. The final goal dashed any hopes of a Makoanyane XI comeback, adding to their frustration.
Post-Match Reflections and Future Prospects
Despite the defeat, Makoanyane XI showed promise. They demonstrated flashes of skill and potential, but their tactical discipline and fitness levels fell short against a well-prepared South African side. Coach Mahlaha acknowledged this in his post-game interview, revealing that their next match would feature a different tactical approach. He emphasized the fitness disparity as a key factor in their loss but expressed pride in the performances of individuals like Paseka Maile and goalkeeper Mofoka Leluma.
In attendance was Mamelodi Sundowns coach David Notoane, who was reportedly impressed by the talents on display, particularly Maile from Kick4Life Juventude and Tamako Malefetsane from Matlama FC. Such recognition highlights the potential of Lesotho’s young footballers to attract attention from larger clubs in the region.
A Day of Double Defeats for Lesotho
Adding to the day’s disappointment, Lesotho’s Under-17 national team, Bahlabani, also suffered a heavy defeat against South Africa’s Under-17 national team, Amajimbos. The young Lesotho side fell 4-0, with South African players Sive Pama, Selwyn Stevens, Tebogo Mlangeni, and Anovuyo Mgoqi all contributing to the rout.
Looking Ahead to Sunday
As both Makoanyane XI and Amajita prepare for their Sunday rematch, Makoanyane XI will be keen to showcase their talent and rectify the mistakes from Friday’s game. With a revised strategy and lessons learned from their previous encounter, Makoanyane XI will hope to deliver a stronger performance and earn a positive result in front of their home crowd.
All eyes will be on Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena once again, as these two young teams clash for pride and international experience.
