According to the BBC, the Lesotho lads were able to hold their own against Morocco with crisp passing and efficient ball control. Morocco however beat them in front of goal. Morocco opened the score in the 63rd minute after a goalless first half dominated by Makoanyane XI. The goal seemed to deflate the local lads as from then on they were unable to do much.

Coach Seepheephe Matete blamed inexperience for his side's defeat.

"My boys were a little bit nervous which is normal for debutants. We wanted to frustrate Morocco but the caught us on the break," he said.

In the other matches, Ivory Coast beat Mali 1 - 0 and hosts Benin went down 0 - 3 to Nigeria in Group A.

The Southern Africans are to play against each other on January 19 with Morocco playing Egypt on the same day.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck the Championship, with Benin's goalkeeper Youssouffo "Campos" Samiou dying just two days into the tournament after being attacked by unknown assailants. Police have launched a murder inquiry

10 January 2005