Lesotho book place in TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 group stage qualifiers

Lesotho have booked their place in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over COSAFA rivals Seychelles in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Lesotho claimed the tie by the same score on aggregate after the teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg, which was staged at the same venue.

Seychelles have now missed out on the group stage in the last three TotalEnergies CAF AFCON qualifying campaigns they have entered, and last appeared there in the 2019 qualifiers.

Lesotho have maintained their record of reaching the group stage of qualifying in every edition since 2013.

The islanders took the lead in bizarre fashion with a goal from all of 40 yards. Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane had rushed way off his line to intercept a long ball, but did not get there in time, and Seychelles’ Brandon Labrosse was able to score into an empty net with a long-range strike.

Lesotho were level four minutes into the second half, though, as Lebohang Lesako found the back of the net.

Seychelles needed only a draw to go through on away goals at that point, but could not hold on as veteran Lesotho striker Motebang Sera found the back of the net with a header from a free-kick with eight minutes remaining.