Lesotho coach Bob Mafoso vows to challenge Gabon in AFCON 2027 qualifier

Lesotho coach Bob Mafoso says his team will not surrender when they meet Group A favourites Gabon in their AFCON 2027 qualifier at Franceville Stadium on Friday evening.

Likuena are still waiting for their first points in the qualifying campaign after losing their opening matches against Niger and Morocco.

Their difficult start has left Lesotho with little margin for error as they pursue a place at the 2027 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. However, Mafoso insists his players remain determined to compete against another of the group’s leading sides.

“It’s going to be a very difficult match and we have to do well in all the different phases whether that is with or without the ball,” he said.

Mafoso acknowledged the quality of the opposition and the challenge posed by facing a team with an impressive ranking. Even so, he said Lesotho’s preparations had focused on developing their own performance rather than dwelling on the strength of Gabon.

“We are really working on ourselves and we believe in the players we have as difficult as it may be right now,” Mafoso said.

“We are realistic but we are also brave enough to compete against anyone.”

The Lesotho coach also believes his side have benefited from being familiar with Gabon ahead of the encounter, saying the opponents were not an unknown quantity as they prepared for the match.