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Lesotho national football team

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The Lesotho national football team, also known as LNFT, represents Lesotho in men's international association football and is governed by the Lesotho Football Association.

Lesollo

Nickname(s)

Likuena (Crocodiles)

Association

Lesotho Football Association (LeFA)

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

COSAFA (Southern Africa)

Head coach

Leslie Notši

Captain

Sekhoane Moerane

Most caps

Jane Thabantso (88)

Top scorer

Jane Thabantso (15)

Home stadium

Setsoto Stadium

FIFA code

LES

First colours

Second colours

Third colours

FIFA ranking

Current

149

(18 July 2024)^[1]

Highest

105 (August 2014)

Lowest

185 (August 2011)

First international

Lesotho 2–1 Malawi

(Malawi; 8 August 1970)

Biggest win

Lesotho 5–0 Swaziland

(Maseru, Lesotho; 14 April 2006)

Biggest defeat

Zambia 9–0 Lesotho

(Botswana; 8 August 1988)

COSAFA Cup

Appearances

22 (first in 1997)

Best result

Runners-up (2000, 2023)

Medal record

COSAFA Cup

	2000 Southern Africa	?
	2018 South Africa
	2023 South Africa

History

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Following Lesotho's independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, the Lesotho Football Association was created, and later, the Lesotho national football team, which played its first match on 7 August 1970 against Malawi, where Lesotho won 2-1.

Lesotho participated in its first World Cup qualifiers, for the 1974 tournament, drawing 0–0 against Zambia at home before losing 1–6 in the second leg and getting eliminated. Lesotho was also eliminated in the first round of qualifying for the 1974 AFCON, losing 1–5 to Mauritius after a 0–0 draw in the first leg. Lesotho faced Mauritius again in their next attempt to qualify for 1980 AFCON, losing on away goals. In qualifying for the 1982 tournament, Lesotho lost 3–7 on aggregate to Mozambique. Lesotho then faced Guinea in the 1982 World Cup first qualification round, losing 4–2 on aggregate.

Lesotho won their first ever qualification tie during the 1994 AFCON qualifiers, beating Botswana 4–0 on aggregate, with all four goals coming in the second leg in Botswana. With this victory they entered the group stage of qualifying, managing to draw against Kenya (2–2), Zaire (1–1), and Mozambique (1–1) at home, but losing all three away fixtures to finish bottom of the group.

Lesotho withdrew from the 1996 AFCON qualification and was subsequently banned from the next tournament therefore next entered the 2000 AFCON qualifiers, losing in the first round to Mauritius. Lesotho qualified for the 1999 COSAFA Cup after beating Namibia 1–0, but lost to eventual winners Angola 0–1 in the quarter-finals. The following year Lesotho produced their best ever finish at the 2000 COSAFA Cup, only qualifying for the tournament via disciplinary record. They beat Zambia 3–1 on penalties before scoring two late goals against Angola in the semi-finals to win 2–1. In the final they lost 3–0 twice across two legs to Zimbabwe to finish as runners-up.

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2023

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7 July 2023 COSAFA Cup	Mauritius	0–2	Lesotho	Durban
15:00		Report	Mokhachane 15' Sera 90+2'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

10 July 2023 COSAFA Cup	Mozambique	0–1	Lesotho	KwaMashu
18:00		Report	Mokhachane 34'	Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium

12 July 2023 COSAFA Cup	Angola	4–2	Lesotho	Durban
15:00	Cangue 20' Amor 29' Goncalves 50' Moseka 88'	Report	Makha 3' Mokokoane 44'	Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium

14 July 2023 COSAFA Cup SF	Malawi	1–1 (a.e.t.) (0–3 p)	Lesotho	KwaMashu
	Kaonga 26' (pen.)	Report	Thaba-Ntso 18'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

16 July 2023 COSAFA Cup F	Lesotho	0–1	Zambia	Durban
18:00		Report	Libamba 78'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

9 September 2023 AFCON qualification	Ivory Coast	1–0	Lesotho	San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC±0	I. Sangaré 16'	Report		Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)

16 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Nigeria	1–1	Lesotho	Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1	Ajayi 67'	Report	Mkwanazi 56'	Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)

21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Lesotho	0–0	Benin	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)

2024

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6 January Friendly	Mozambique	2–0	Lesotho	Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2	Mandava 27' Lau King 81' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: FNB Stadium

11 January Friendly	South Africa	0–0	Lesotho	Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium

21 March Friendly	Ethiopia	1–2	Lesotho	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
	Yohannes 48'		Motebang 34' Moerane 43'	Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium

24 March Friendly	Ethiopia	2–1	Lesotho	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
				Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium

1 June Friendly

Lesotho

1–1

Namibia

7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Zimbabwe	0–2	Lesotho	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Rasethuntša 21' Thabantso 31'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)

11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Lesotho	0–1	Rwanda	Durban, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2		Report	Kwizera 67'	Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

28 June 2024 COSAFA Cup	Lesotho	1–1	Seychelles	Gqeberha
15:00	Thabantso 19'	Report	Hoareau 69'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

1 July 2024 COSAFA Cup	Namibia	v	Lesotho	Gqeberha
18:00				Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

3 July 2024 COSAFA Cup	Lesotho	v	Angola	Gqeberha
15:00				Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Managers

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Caretaker manager are listed in italics.

April Phumo (1979–1995)

Lefa Ramakau (2000–??)

Monaheng Monyane (2003–2004)

Antoine Hey (2004–2006)

Motheo Mohapi (2006–2007)

Zaviša Milosavljević (2007–2009)

Leslie Notši (2009)

Leslie Notši (2011–2013)

Adam Siddorn (2013)

Seephephe Matete (2014–2015)

Moses Maliehe (2015–2019)

Mpitsa Marai (2019)

Thabo Senong (2019–2021)

Leslie Notši (2021–2022)

Veselin Jelušić (2022–2023)

Leslie Notši (2023)

Veselin Jelušić (2024)

Leslie Notsi (2024-present)

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were selected for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.^[3]

Caps and goals correct as of 28 June 2024, after the match against Seychelles.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Sekhoane Moerane	(1997-09-18) 18 September 1997 (age 26)	39	1	Lesotho Mounted Police Service
1GK	Tankiso Chaba	(1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 28)	2	0	Lesotho Correctional Services
1GK	Ntsane Molise	(1994-07-30) 30 July 1994 (age 29)	0	0	Linare

2DF	Motlomelo Mkhwanazi	(1994-11-05) 5 November 1994 (age 29)	38	1	Bantu
2DF	Rethabile Rasethuntsa	(1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 (age 29)	36	1	Linare
2DF	Thabang Malane	(1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 (age 27)	31	0	African All Stars
2DF	Rethabile Mokokoane	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 28)	15	1	Matlama
2DF	Thabo Matšoele	(1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 31)	11	0	Matlama
2DF	Thabo Makhele	(1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 (age 29)	4	0	Chippa United
2DF	Thato Sefoli	(1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 29)	3	0	Upington City
2DF	Fusi Matlabe	(2000-05-23) 23 May 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Mpheni Home Defenders

3MF	Tsepo Toloane	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 27)	48	0	Lesotho Defence Force
3MF	Tumelo Khutlang	(1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 28)	45	3	Lioli
3MF	Lisema Lebokollane	(1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 (age 31)	41	0	Matlama
3MF	Tshwarelo Bereng	(1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 (age 33)	38	2	Mbabane Highlanders
3MF	Lehlohonolo Fothoane	(1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 (age 27)	36	2	Bantu
3MF	Neo Mokhachane	(1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 (age 27)	18	2	Bantu
3MF	Lehlohonolo Matsau	(1997-03-06) 6 March 1997 (age 27)	4	0	Lesotho Defence Force
3MF	Tlotliso Phatsisi	(1999-05-26) 26 May 1999 (age 25)	4	0	Black Leopards
3MF	Paseka Maile		1	0	Kick4Life

4FW	Jane Thabantso	(1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 28)	87	15	Matlama
4FW	Sera Motebang	(1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 29)	64	11	Royal AM
4FW	Katleho Makateng	(1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 25)	17	3	Richards Bay

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Lesotho squad within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Seahlolo Mosoeu	(2003-05-03) 3 May 2003 (age 21)	2	0	Lesotho Correctional Services	v. Ethiopia; 24 March 2024
GK	Monaheng Ramalefane	(1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 25)	4	0	Matlama	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024
GK	Teboho Ratibisi	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Lesotho Defence Force	v. Benin; 21 November 2023

DF	Motete John Mohai	(1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 26)	6	0	Matlama	v. Rwanda; 11 June 2024
DF	Kopano Tšeka	(1991-11-08) 8 November 1991 (age 32)	48	1	Lioli	v. Namibia; 1 June 2024
DF	Bokang Sello	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 29)	32	0	Police	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF	Rethabile Senkoto	(1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26)	12	0	Lifofane	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF	Mohlomi Makhetha	(2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 23)	4	0	Lesotho Correctional Services	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024

MF	Tsepang Sefali	(1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 28)	19	0	Bantu	2024 COSAFA Cup^INJ
MF	Teboho Letsema	(2002-09-09) 9 September 2002 (age 21)	5	0	Linare	2024 COSAFA Cup^WD
MF	Thabo Lesaoana	(1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 30)	18	0	Bantu	v. Rwanda; 11 June 2024
MF	Alfred Mosoeu	(1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Mangaung Unite	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024
MF	Tumelo Shai		1	0	Kaizer Chiefs	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024

FW	Lemohang Lintša	(1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 (age 32)	4	0	Limkokwing University	2024 COSAFA Cup^WD
FW	Thabiso Brown	(1995-10-03) 3 October 1995 (age 28)	15	1	Jiangxi Lushan	v. South Africa; 11 January 2024
^INJ Withdrew due to injury ^PRE Preliminary squad / standby ^RET Retired from the national team ^SUS Serving suspension ^WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player records

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As of 28 June 2024^[4]

Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.

Most appearances

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Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Jane Thabantso	87	15	2015–present
2	Basia Makepe	69	1	2012–present
3	Nkau Lerotholi	66	2	2008–2021
4	Sera Motebang	64	11	2016–present
5	Hlompho Kalake	55	7	2015–2021
6	Tšoanelo Koetle	54	2	2011–2021
7	Bushi Moletsane	53	3	2004–2015
8	Thapelo Mokhele	49	2	2006–2018
9	Tšepo Toloane	48	0	2018–present
9	Kopano Tšeka	48	1	2016–present

Top goalscorers

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Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Jane Thabantso	15	87	0.17	2015–present
2	Sera Motebang	11	64	0.17	2016–present
3	Refiloe Potse	9	23	0.39	1998–2009
4	Tsepo Seturumane	8	38	0.21	2013–2020
5	Thapelo Tale	7	45	0.16	2008–2019
5	Hlompho Kalake	7	55	0.13	2015–2021
7	Teele Ntšonyana	5	19	0.26	1995–2004
	Majara Masupha	5	20	0.25	1998–2004
	Motlatsi Shale	5	22	0.23	1998–2006
10	Thulo Ranchobe	4	23	0.17	2003–2013
	Sello Muso	4	29	0.14	2006–2009
	Lehlohonolo Seema	4	35	0.11	1998–2008
	Ralekoti Mokhahlane	4	38	0.11	2006–2018
	Bokang Mothoana	4	39	0.1	2005–2017

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930to1962	Part of United Kingdom								Part of United Kingdom
1966 and 1970	Did not enter								Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	1	6
1978	Did not enter								Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	2	4
1986	Withdrew								Withdrew
1990	Withdrew								Withdrew
1994 and 1998	Did not enter								Did not enter
2002	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	0	3
2006									2	0	1	1	1	4
2010									6	0	0	6	2	16
2014									8	2	3	3	7	17
2018									2	0	2	0	1	1
2022									2	0	2	0	1	1
2026	To be determined								4	1	2	1	3	2
2030									To be derermined
2034									To be derermined
Total		0/15							30	3	12	15	18	57

Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of United Kingdom								Part of United Kingdom
1959
1962
1963
1965	Did not enter								Did not enter
1968
1970
1972
1974	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	1	5
1976	Withdrew								Withdrew
1978	Did not enter								Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	2	2
1982	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	7
1984	Withdrew								Withdrew
1986	Did not enter								Did not enter
1988	Withdrew								Withdrew
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1992	Did not enter								Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify								8	1	4	3	8	17
1996	Withdrew during qualifying								6	1	0	5	3	16
1998	Banned								Banned for withdrawing in 1996
2000	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	2	4
2002									7	2	3	3	8	10
2004									4	1	0	3	1	10
2006									2	0	1	1	1	4
2008									6	1	1	4	3	9
2010									6	0	0	6	2	16
2012	Did not enter								Did not enter
2013	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	0	1
2015									10	2	3	5	6	13
2017									6	1	0	5	5	16
2019									6	1	3	2	3	7
2021									6	0	3	3	3	9
2023									8	1	2	5	4	10
2025	To be determined								To be determined
2027	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/34							85	13	23	49	55	156

COSAFA Cup

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Year	COSAFA Cup record
Year	Round	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1997	Preliminary round	7th	1	0	0	1	0	2
1998	Preliminary round	10th	1	0	0	1	0	2
1999	Quarter-finals	8th	2	1	0	1	1	1
2000	Runners-up	2nd	5	1	1	3	3	9
2001	Quarter-finals	7th	1	0	0	1	1	2
2002	First round	12th	1	0	0	1	0	2
2003		9th	1	0	1	0	0	0
2004		9th	1	0	1	0	0	0
2005		8th	1	0	0	1	1	2
2006		7th	2	0	1	1	1	3
2007		11th	2	0	0	2	2	5
2008	Preliminary round	12th	3	1	1	1	2	2
2009	Group stage	10th	2	1	1	0	3	2
2013	Fourth place	4th	6	1	3	2	10	10
2015	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	2	4
2016	Quarter-finals	7th	5	3	1	1	9	4
2017	Fourth place	4th	3	0	2	1	3	4
2018	Third place	3rd	3	2	1	0	2	0
2019	Fourth place	4th	3	0	2	1	3	4
2021	Group stage	8th	4	1	0	3	3	12
2022	Group stage	10th	3	2	0	1	4	4
2023	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	1	2	6	6
Total	Runners-up	22/22	58	16	16	26	56	80

Head-to-head record

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As of 3 July 2024 after match against Angola^[5]

Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Algeria	2	0	0	2	1	9	−8
Angola	10	1	1	8	7	23	−16
Benin	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
Botswana	31	5	11	15	23	39	−16
Burkina Faso	2	0	0	2	0	3	−3
Burundi	2	1	1	0	3	2	+1
Cameroon	2	1	0	1	3	4	−1
Cape Verde	2	0	2	0	1	1	0
Comoros	7	2	2	3	3	6	–3
DR Congo	7	0	4	3	4	17	−13
Ethiopia	9	2	4	3	10	11	–1
Gabon	4	0	1	3	3	10	−7
Gambia	2	1	0	1	1	6	−5
Ghana	7	0	1	6	7	23	−16
Guinea	2	0	1	1	2	4	−2
Ivory Coast	2	0	1	1	0	1	–1
Kenya	8	1	4	3	6	10	−4
Laos	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2
Liberia	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1
Libya	2	0	0	2	0	5	−5
Madagascar	3	1	0	2	3	4	−1
Malawi	23	4	6	13	16	46	−30
Malaysia	1	0	0	1	0	5	−5
Mauritius	16	8	3	5	27	23	+4
Mozambique	24	4	7	13	10	33	−23
Myanmar	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Namibia	14	4	5	5	14	15	–1
Niger	2	1	0	1	3	3	0
Nigeria	5	0	1	4	3	11	−8
Rwanda	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
São Tomé and Príncipe	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1
Senegal	2	0	0	2	0	4	−4
Seychelles	5	2	2	1	6	5	+1
Sierra Leone	2	0	2	0	1	1	0
South Africa	15	2	5	8	10	26	−16
Sudan	2	1	1	0	3	1	+2
Eswatini	42	12	13	17	42	51	−9
Tanzania	5	2	2	1	4	5	−1
Togo	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2
Uganda	5	0	2	3	0	8	−8
Zambia	18	1	6	11	10	43	−33
Zimbabwe	25	3	7	15	25	54	−29
Total	319	61	97	161	256	519	−263

Kit suppliers

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Uhlsport (2000)
Umbro (2002, 2006)
Uhlsport (2007)
Adidas (2008–2011)
Basutoland Ink (2012–2019)
Umbro (2019–)

References

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^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.

^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.

^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Lesotho Football Association.

^ "Lesotho". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2022-07-06.

^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Lesotho". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2017.

External links

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LesothoatCAF
LesothoatFIFA

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