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Bulawayo Bureau
LESOTHO say they will be gunning for an away goal when they take on Zimbabwe in the first leg of the final African Nations Championship qualifier at Barbourfields on Sunday.

The Crocodiles, comprising 19 players and six officials, held their first training session at Gifford High School yesterday.

Speaking to the media after their morning training session, coach Seephephe Matete said they wanted to ride on their underdogs tag and get an away goal.

“We know we are the underdogs here because Zimbabwe has the experience and are professionals while we are not, but in football anything can happen.

“We are fully prepared and we believe an away goal will do us a lot of good. We get it (away goal) and probably finish them off at home,” said a confident Matete.

He said his boys would be instructed to prevent the Warriors from getting an early goal as that could open the floodgates.

“Once a home team gets an early goal, it becomes difficult to break them down and we must therefore stop them from getting that early goal.

“We must not allow them to play their normal game, so we will attack from the first whistle so that they don’t get to attack us,” said Matete.

Ranked 43rd in Africa and 140th in the world, Lesotho have always come out second best to Zimbabwe, who are 32nd in Africa and 109th in the world. Bulawayo soccer fans have long been starved of international football and they are likely to fill Barbourfields to the rafters to cheer the Warriors and possibly persuade ZIFA to stage more games in the city.

Coach Callisto Pasuwa’s side has been in camp since Tuesday.

Get charges for the match have been pegged at $3 for the rest of the ground, $5 for the wings and $10 at the VIP.

Lesotho squad:

Jeremia Kamela, Thapelo Tale, Kefuoe Mahula, Phafa Tsosane, Motlalepu Mofolola, Thapelo Mokhehle, Bushy, Moletsane, Lekhanya Lekhanya, Bokang Mothoana, Masoabi Nkoto, Hlompho Kalake, Jane Thaba-Ntso, Ts’onelo Koetle, Basisa Makepe, Tsepo Seturumane, Samuel Khetsekile, Mohau Kuenane, Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Moiteri Ntobo

Officials: Khiba Mohoanyane, Seephephe Matete, Halemakale Mahlahla, Ketsebile Phatsoane, Mzwakhe Mothala, Shokhoe Matsoai, Keneuoe Ntholeng.