Lesotho’s Mehalalitoe looking to bounce back against Namibia |

Despite the humiliating 7-0 defeat to Zambia, Lesotho coach Pule Khojane believes Mehalalitoe still have a chance to progress in the COSAFA Women’s Championship. 

Mehalalitoe return to action on Tuesday when they face Namibia in what will be a decider in Group B. 

A win will secure them a place in the knockout stage as second best, depending on results in other groups. 

Khojane insists Sunday’s scoreline against the Copper Queens was not a true reflection of the game and is confident of better fortunes against Namibia.

“They played very well; conceding many goals like that doesn’t make my team bad, and they are still good regardless of the score line. We will recover and play well in the next game,” Khojane said.

“Even after the game, they were still positive; we will forget about this game, we will forget about the score line and concentrate on the next game.” 

Zambia’s Barbara Banda ran the show from the first minute until the final whistle, netting five goals against Mehalalitoe. 

The result left Lesotho in third place with a negative goal difference.

Khojane said Mehalalitoe’s capitulation against Zambia was down to early goals, which his charges must avoid on Tuesday.

He believes that when his players could not contain the opposition’s wave of attacks, they committed fouls, and almost every kick went behind the back of the net.

“I think we conceded three goals too early. Our game plan was working for us. We just conceded set pieces, which is what we were not expecting, but still, my players put on the effort,” he explained.

On Monday morning, Mehalalitoe had a light training session with players joking around each and not letting the heavy defeat dent their spirit.