Zimbabwe Finish Winless As Lesotho Snatch Dramatic Victory In Group C World Cup Qualifier

Zimbabwe Finish Winless As Lesotho Snatch Dramatic Victory In Group C World Cup Qualifier 

By Admin 

 Lesotho ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on a high, edging Zimbabwe 1-0 thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time winner by Hlompho Kalake on Monday evening, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The match, played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, was a dead rubber in Group C, with both teams already out of contention. However, pride was still at stake in this Southern African derby, and Lesotho ensured they walked away with bragging rights.

Lesotho Finish Fourth, Zimbabwe Winless

Lesotho’s victory saw them finish fourth in Group C, closing out an otherwise underwhelming campaign that saw them fall short of qualification for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, concluded their qualifying journey bottom of the group, failing to register a single win in the process. The Warriors will now turn their attention to preparations for the upcoming AFCON 2025, where they’ll aim to bounce back.

How the Match Unfolded

Zimbabwe controlled much of the early possession and nearly opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Walter Musona’s shot troubled Lesotho keeper Sekhoane Moerane, who initially fumbled but recovered to gather the ball.

Lesotho gradually settled into the contest. On the half-hour mark, Elvis Chipezeze in the Zimbabwe goal was tested by Mphale Mphalaole, but the veteran shot-stopper gathered the attempt at the second time of asking. The two sides went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

Zimbabwe looked more threatening after the break. Just past the hour, they came agonizingly close when Bill Antonio beat the Lesotho goalkeeper, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Motlomelo Mkwanazi.

That missed opportunity would prove costly.

In the 93rd minute, substitute Neo Mokhachane set up fellow sub Hlompho Kalake, who curled a sensational long-range shot past Chipezeze to seal victory for Lesotho in dramatic fashion.

Match Summary

Final Score: Lesotho 1-0 Zimbabwe

Goal: Kalake 90+3’

Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium, South Africa

Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – CAF Group C

Line-ups

Lesotho Starting XI:

Moerane; Malane (Mokhachane 70′), Mkwanazi, Makhele, Mokokoane; Matlabe (Motebang 83′), Thaba (Sefali 70′), Matsau (Kalake 46′), Mphalaole, Snyders, Tshotleho (Toloane 36′)

Zimbabwe Starting XI:

Chipezeze; Dube, Takwara (Murwira 44′), Musona (Billiat 62′), Fabisch (Nakamba 46′), Munetsi, Galloway, Zemura, Antonio (Msendami 80′), Jalai, Chirewa (Dzvukamanja 80′)