Lesotho clinched a narrow 1-0 victory against the Central African Republic in their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday, a result that indirectly confirmed Gabon’s place in the upcoming competition in Morocco in 2025.
The Group B showdown took place at the Free State Toyota Stadium, with Lesotho’s Crocodiles hosting CAR’s Wild Beasts.
The game was fiercely contested, but it was ultimately decided by a single, crucial goal.
Neo Mokhachane broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, seizing a close-range opportunity to put Lesotho ahead. His goal proved to be the match-winner, securing a hard-fought victory that reshaped the standings in the group.
In Group B, Morocco leads with a flawless record, while Gabon follows in second place with seven points.
Lesotho’s recent win elevates them to third, ahead of CAR, who are anchored at the bottom with just three points.
Gabon’s qualification is now secure as Lesotho, currently on four points, cannot surpass them even with one game left to play.
While Lesotho could theoretically finish level with Gabon on seven points, the head-to-head rule favors Gabon, who previously defeated Lesotho, with the other encounter between the two ending in a draw.
This effectively locks Gabon into a top-two finish in Group B, guaranteeing their spot at the 2024 tournament.
The match itself was marked by physical intensity and defensive grit, with both teams struggling to create many clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Lesotho’s defensive unit stayed resilient, repelling CAR’s forward advances. Louis Mafouta came closest for CAR, nearly equalizing with a powerful header in the 73rd minute that rattled the post, but CAR’s luck ran thin as Lesotho held firm.
Lesotho’s victory elevates them to third in the standings, moving above CAR, although their own hopes of qualification have now been dashed.
CAR remains at the bottom, while Morocco and Gabon continue to lead Group B in strong positions.
