Shoes leads by example in Lesotho
Shoes leads by example in Lesotho

Posted in News on Oct 08, 2003.

Kaizer Chiefs veteran midfielder John 'Shoes' Moshoeu inspired Bafana Bafana to an easy 3-0 victory against Lesotho in a friendly match at Setsoto Stadium on Wednesday. Bafana led 1-0 at halftime.

Bafana Bafana were good value for their money and dominated the first half and it came as no surprise when they took the lead. The Amakhosi ma of the moment Moshoeu put Bafana in the driving seat on 23 minutes with a superb strike from a free-kick spot.

It was the kind of a performance Moshoeu had hoped for especially after some sections of the media had written him off. Shoes - the captain on the night - led by example and his top form at club level came in handy against Lesotho.

More performances like this could easily see Moshoeu commanding a regular place for Bafana.

But Lesotho were not like sheep to the slaughter as suggested in pre-match build-ups. In fact the hosts almost caused an early upset with speedy striker Moses Ramafole shaving the Bafana crossbar on four minutes.

Playing conditions were not ideal for Bafana flowing games but once they adjusted to the bumpy pitch they looked the better side. United striker Raselemane was narrowly wide of the Lesotho goal with a stunning header from a Moshoeu cross on 20 minutes.

Ramafole wasted a glorious chance to equalise when he shot tamely at keeper Moeneeb Josephs in the 25th minute. Jabu Pule had two chances to increase Bafana's lead. The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder hit the side netting in the 30th minute and forced keeper Tumelo Ntosoane to make a great save from his powerful shot two minutes form the break.

Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba was all smiles after his charges routed a game but outclassed Lesotho who were using the match to prepare for their World Cup eliminator against Botswana in Gaborone this weekend.

The win started Bafana's programme in preparation for January's African Nations Cup finals to be staged in Tunisia.

Five minutes after the restart Josephs showed his potential when he brilliantly denied Ramafole a goal with a stunning save from the hard working Lesotho forward's well directed shot.

With the crowd roaring them on, Lesotho started to take the game to Bafana in search of the equaliser.

But they were stopped dead in their tracks when substitute Fredericks shot deflected off unlucky Ramafole in the 66th minute. A goal in the 72nd minute from Raselemane rounded off a great night's work and sent home the capacity crowd dispirited.

However, to their credit Lesotho failed to give in an it took a fine save from Josephs to prevent Mophari Ntobo from scoring a consolation goal five minutes form time.

Bafana take on Costa Rica in Pochefstroom in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Saturday.

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