Jane scores fastest goal in Cosafa Cup history

AFP, JOHANNESBURG: Jane Thaba-Ntso of Lesotho scored the 34-second fastest goal in Cosafa Cup history and Hellings Mhango of Malawi bagged a hat-trick as their countries triumphed convincingly in Namibia on Sunday.
Lesotho defeated lethargic Mauritius 3-0 and Malawi squandered many scoring chances before achieving victory by the same scoreline against Angola in the opening Group B matches.
The Group A matches in the annual southern Africa championship were more competitive with Zimbabwe levelling twice in a 2-2 draw 2-2 with Swaziland and Madagascar winning 1-0 against Seychelles.
South Africa-based Mhango struck after 32, 72 and 90 minutes at Independence Stadium in Windhoek with his hat-trick completed by a successful penalty kick.
His first goal came from a header that took a deflection and a rising, close-range shot brought the second score that sealed the fate of a youthful, experimental Angolan team.
Mauritius fought bravely before bowing to four-time African champions Ghana in a Cup of Nations qualifier last Sunday, making the laboured showing against Lesotho strange to understand.
Lesotho were ahead within the first minute when history-maker Thaba-Ntso nodded in a perfectly weighted cross.
Jeremeka Kamela converted a penalty in first-half stoppage-time and substitute Sera Motebang completed the rout with a close-range shot in the final minute.
Zimbabwe fielded a much-changed, weaker-on-paper team from that which trounced Malawi 3-0 last weekend to clinch a third Cup of Nations appearance.
Felix Badenhorst put Swaziland ahead in each half, first through a header and then via the penalty spot after Danny Phiri handled.
An Obadiah Tarumbwa header produced the first equaliser and an Elisha Muroiwa bicycle kick 11 minutes from time restored equality again.
In a frenetic climax, both countries came close to making a winning start in the three-round mini-league phase from which the group winners secure quarter-finals places.

 

Jane scores fastest goal in Cosafa Cup history

AFP, JOHANNESBURG: Jane Thaba-Ntso of Lesotho scored the 34-second fastest goal in Cosafa Cup history and Hellings Mhango of Malawi bagged a hat-trick as their countries triumphed convincingly in Namibia on Sunday. Lesotho defeated lethargic Mauritius 3-0 and Malawi squandered many scoring chances before achieving victory by the same scoreline against Angola in the opening Group B matches. The Group A matches in the annual southern Africa championship were more competitive with Zimbabwe levelling twice in a 2-2 draw 2-2 with Swaziland and Madagascar winning 1-0 against Seychelles. South Africa-based Mhango struck after 32, 72 and 90 minutes at Independence Stadium in Windhoek with his hat-trick completed by a successful penalty kick. His first goal came from a header that took a deflection and a rising, close-range shot brought the second score that sealed the fate of a youthful, experimental Angolan team. Mauritius fought bravely before bowing to four-time African champions Ghana in a Cup of Nations qualifier last Sunday, making the laboured showing against Lesotho strange to understand. Lesotho were ahead within the first minute when history-maker Thaba-Ntso nodded in a perfectly weighted cross. Jeremeka Kamela converted a penalty in first-half stoppage-time and substitute Sera Motebang completed the rout with a close-range shot in the final minute. Zimbabwe fielded a much-changed, weaker-on-paper team from that which trounced Malawi 3-0 last weekend to clinch a third Cup of Nations appearance. Felix Badenhorst put Swaziland ahead in each half, first through a header and then via the penalty spot after Danny Phiri handled. An Obadiah Tarumbwa header produced the first equaliser and an Elisha Muroiwa bicycle kick 11 minutes from time restored equality again. In a frenetic climax, both countries came close to making a winning start in the three-round mini-league phase from which the group winners secure quarter-finals places.