Chiefs duo on target as Amajita thrash Lesotho
by Kickoff writer · KickOffAmajita defeated Lesotho 3-0 to get their COSAFA U20 championship to the perfect start in Maputo on Saturday afternoon.
The African champions were keen to start their campaign on a high as the quest towards successive regional and continental crowns takes centre stage.
Manelis Mazibuko looked to have given the holders the perfect start six minutes gone following a well-taken finish from a corner-kick, but it was ruled out for offside.
The pressure continued to pile on Lesotho, who needed a last-gasp goal-line stop to repel Eagan Freese from profiting at the far post after a low cross-field delivery by Matthew Palmer.
Lesotho’s confidence into the contest started to grow in the opening-quarter and managed to get around the defence through pressured play and forced goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba.
However, Steven Mendes broke Lesotho momentum on the cusp of halftime after he raced past the defence to latch onto a ball over the top and lobbed in composed fashion to make it 1-0.
Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka came out for the second half and instituted a substitution with Will Henson introduced ahead of Kamohelo Mareletse.
Mendes completed a brace ten minutes in the second stanza through a first-time finish in the bottom-corner as a smart delivery in the box caught the defence napping and unable to clear their lines.
Amajita were in full control in the midway mark of the second half and grabbed a third goal when Oarabile Booysen came in on the far side and pulled a cutback to the near post for Teboho Mlangeni to slot home his first of the tournament.
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