Lesotho midfielder Jane Thaba-Ntso says scoring the fastest goal in the history of the COSAFA Cup during the 3-0 win over Mauritius in 2016 is a moment he will cherish for the rest of his life.

Thaba-Ntso netted the historic goal to give Lesotho the lead after just 34 seconds of the match in the opening game for his country during the 2016 edition of the tournament that was held in Namibia.

The Crocodiles went on to register a comfortable 3-0 win over the Islanders with Jerry Kamela and Motebang Sera scoring the second and third goals respectively.

The 22-year old winger, who plays for Matlama in the Mountain Kingdom country, said what made the goal and the tournament in Namibia, even more special is that they went on to win their group that consisted of Angola Malawi and Mauritius.

“It was a very special and proud moment for me. It is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Thaba-Ntso said.   “What was funny is that I was not even aware that it was the fastest goal in the history of the tournament until after the game.

“I heard people talking about it in the stadium before I got the chance to watch the repeat of the match later when we got back to the hotel. That’s when I realised how big the goal was.

“But it was a good tournament for me and the team as I ended up as the top goal scorer for my country with three goals. No one gave us a chance, but we ended up winning our group to qualify for the quarterfinals”

The left-footed attacking midfielder said he is adamant that they will once again have a good tournament in the 2018 edition of the tournament to be staged in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Lesotho will this year begin their campaign in the quarterfinals where they have been drawn against Swaziland.

“I think we have grown in leaps and bounds in the last two editions of the tournament having made it to the quarterfinals and semi-finals respectively,” the Lesotho midfielder stated.

“We have gathered enough experience to be in a position to try and fight to make it to the final for this year’s competition,” he said.

By Mikia Kalati