This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
On a dramatic Sunday in African Nations Championship (Chan) second-round first-leg qualifiers, lowly-ranked Lesotho and Liberia pulled off shock victories, while Madagascar stunned Mozambique in a thrilling match.
Lesotho led twice in Maseru before snatching a 3-2 triumph over neighbors South Africa through a Lehlohonolo Fothoane goal one minute from time.
Liberia left it even later to upset Senegal 1-0 in Monrovia with Christopher Jackson grabbing the match-winner in the final minute.
Madagascar, the surprise side of the Africa Cup of Nations that ended last weekend, pipped Mozambique 1-0 through a stoppage-time goal by Arnaud Randrianantenaina.
These upsets marked a change of pace from the previous days, when only one of seven home teams won, with three triumphing on Sunday and the other four drawing.
Lesotho, ranked 144 in the world, 74 places below South Africa, were underdogs despite the visitors fielding a youthful, experimental side.
South Africa's local stars, who reached the Cup of Nations quarter-finals, were unavailable due to pre-season training, which kicked off next Saturday.
Goals by Tsepo Seturumane and Hlompho Kalake for the Lesotho Crocodiles were cancelled by Tercious Malepe and substitute Livuyo Phewa, leaving the teams level after 78 minutes.
However, Fothoane, a 22-year-old midfielder who plays for top-flight club Bantu in a town 75 kilometers south of Maseru, stole the show with his winning goal.
Jackson, also 22 years old, plays for first-division outfit Liberian International Shipping and Corporate Registry (LISCR FC), popularly known as the Shipping Boys.
The victory was a timely boost for Liberia, which has had little success internationally at national team and club levels recently and lies 132 places below Senegal in the world rankings.
Senegal, who finished runners-up to Algeria in the 2019 Cup of Nations, struggled when playing away in the Nations Championship, with the loss in Monrovia their sixth in nine qualifiers spanning six editions.
Madagascar's victory was a testament to their impressive performance in the Africa Cup of Nations, where they reached the quarter-finals in Egypt this month.
The return matches are scheduled for August 3/4, with the overall winners advancing to the final qualifying round during September and October for the 2020 tournament in Cameroon.
