Substitute Sera Motebang’s late double handed Lesotho a 2-1 win over Zambia at Isaac Wolfson Stadium in South Africa on Thursday afternoon.
Motebang scored in the 70th and 88th minutes to cancel out striker Justin Shonga’s 29th minute goal for Zambia in this Group A game.
The forward, who plays club football with Bloemfontein Celtic, had come off the bench in the 67th minute to replace Synous Masoabi.
On paper, Zambia were superior to Lesotho having, in the previous 10 meetings across all competitions, won seven, lost once and drawn twice.
Zambia coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic had at his disposal a strong squad that included AFCON winner Kennedy Mweene in goals.
Other experienced players Micho featured in the starting XI were attacker Augustine Mulenga (AmaZulu), Shonga (Cape Town City) and defender Kabaso Chongo who plays club football at TP Mazembe in Congo.
On the other hand, Lesotho did not have the best of starts to the tournament, as they lost 3-1 to Eswatini earlier his week.
Now, Lesotho have joined South Africa and Eswatini on three points each in the group.
Bafana Bafana met Eswatini in another match for the group later on Thursday afternoon.
Line-ups:
Zambia: Kennedy Mweene, Benedict Chepeshi, Adrian Chama, Chongo Kabaso, Benson Sakala, Kelvin Kampamba, Salulani Phiri, Gampani Lungu, Justin Shonga, Rodrick Kabwe, Augustine Mulenga
Lesotho: Sekhoane Moerane, Rethabile Rasethuntsa, Basia Makepe, Tsoarelo Bereng, Lisema Lebokollane, Lehlohonolo Fothoane, Thabang Malane, Synous Masoabi, Tumelo Khutlang, Nkau Lerotholi, Thabiso Brown