The Central African Republic made an emphatic start to their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying campaign with a commanding 3-1 win over Lesotho at the El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, on Thursday.
Striker Louis Mafouta proved to be the standout performer for the Central African Republic, scoring twice in the opening half to set the tone for a dominant display by his side.
Mafouta wasted no time in putting his team ahead, striking just seconds after the match began.
He capitalized on Lesotho’s early defensive lapse to give his team an immediate 1-0 lead, stunning their opponents into an early retreat.
Lesotho, unable to recover quickly from the shock, found themselves on the back foot for much of the opening period.
The Central African Republic, led by Mafouta’s attacking prowess, dictated the flow of the game.
Their pressure paid off once again in the 24th minute when Mafouta doubled the lead, expertly finishing off a slick attacking move to give his side a comfortable 2-0 advantage before half-time.
Despite being two goals down, Lesotho showed some signs of resurgence as the second half kicked off.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 52nd minute when Motebang Sera found the back of the net, pulling one back for the Southern African side and briefly offering them a glimmer of hope.
However, the Central African Republic quickly extinguished any chances of a Lesotho comeback.
Just ten minutes after Sera’s goal, Goduine Koyalipou added a third for the Wild Beasts.
His composed finish in the 62nd minute restored the two-goal cushion and secured a comfortable 3-1 victory for his team.
The Central African Republic’s performance was one of dominance and control, particularly in the midfield where they outmaneuvered their opponents with swift passing and superior tactical awareness. Mafouta’s lethal finishing was complemented by a solid defensive effort, and even though Lesotho managed to score, they never seriously threatened to overturn the result.
This victory places the Central African Republic in a strong position at the outset of Group B in the CAN 2025 qualifiers.
With a winning start, they will now look to build on this performance as they continue their journey towards qualification for the continental tournament.
For Lesotho, it was a challenging evening, with their defensive vulnerabilities exposed and their attacking efforts largely stifled by a resolute Central African Republic side.
As they regroup for their next fixture, they will need to address their issues at both ends of the pitch if they are to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
The Central African Republic’s next fixture will be keenly watched as they aim to carry this momentum forward in their quest for AFCON qualification.
