Lesotho national football team
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.
| 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 (87) | |||
| Top scorer | Jane Thabantso (15) | |||
| Home stadium | Setsoto Stadium | |||
| FIFA code | LES | |||
| ||||
| FIFA ranking | ||||
| Current | 149 (20 June 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 | 19 (first in 1997) | |||
| Best result | Runners-up (2000) | |||
Medal record | ||||
Results and fixtures
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
| 7 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Mauritius | 0–2 | Lesotho | Durban |
| 15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
| 10 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Mozambique | 0–1 | Lesotho | KwaMashu |
| 18:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium |
| 12 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Angola | 4–2 | Lesotho | Durban |
| 15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium |
| 14 July 2023 COSAFA Cup SF | Malawi | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (0–3 p) | Lesotho | KwaMashu |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
| 16 July 2023 COSAFA Cup F | Lesotho | 0–1 | Zambia | Durban |
| 18:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
| 9 September 2023 AFCON qualification | Ivory Coast | 1–0 | Lesotho | San-Pédro, Ivory Coast |
| 16:00 UTC±0 |
|
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 |
|
Report |
|
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
| 6 January Friendly | Mozambique | 2–0 | Lesotho | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 16:00 UTC+2 | 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 |
|
|
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium |
| 24 March Friendly | Ethiopia | 2–1 | Lesotho | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium |
| 7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Zimbabwe | 0–2 | Lesotho | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
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 |
|
Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo) |
| 28 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Lesotho | 1–1 | Seychelles | Gqeberha |
| 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 |
| Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
Managers
- 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
Current squad
The following players were selected for the friendly matches against Mozambique and South Africa on 6 and 10 January 2024.[2]
Caps and goals correct as of 6 January 2023, after the match against Mozambique.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Sekhoane Moerane | 18 September 1997 | 34 | 1 | Lesotho Mounted Police Service | |
| GK | Monaheng Ramalefane | 22 December 1998 | 4 | 0 | Matlama | |
| DF | Motlomelo Mkhwanazi | 5 November 1994 | 35 | 1 | Bantu | |
| DF | Bokang Sello | 8 August 1994 | 31 | 0 | Police | |
| DF | Rethabile Rasethuntsa | 22 November 1994 | 30 | 0 | Linare | |
| DF | Rethabile Mokokoane | 6 April 1996 | 14 | 1 | Matlama | |
| DF | Rethabile Senkoto | 16 January 1998 | 12 | 0 | Lifofane | |
| DF | Thabo Matšoele | 23 May 1993 | 6 | 0 | Matlama | |
| DF | Motete John Mohai | 1 May 1998 | 5 | 0 | Matlama | |
| DF | Mohlomi Makhetha | 21 September 2000 | 4 | 0 | Lesotho Correctional Services | |
| DF | Fusi Matlabe | 0 | 0 | Mpheni Home Defenders | ||
| MF | Tsepo Toloane | 15 July 1997 | 45 | 0 | Lesotho Defence Force | |
| MF | Tumelo Khutlang | 23 October 1995 | 42 | 3 | Lioli | |
| MF | Lisema Lebokollane | 25 February 1993 | 35 | 0 | Matlama | |
| MF | Tshwarelo Bereng | 30 October 1990 | 33 | 2 | Mbabane Highlanders | |
| MF | Lehlohonolo Fothoane | 23 February 1997 | 31 | 1 | Bantu | |
| MF | Neo Mokhachane | 22 September 1996 | 14 | 2 | Bantu | |
| MF | Tsepang Sefali | 7 July 1996 | 14 | 0 | Bantu | |
| MF | Thabo Lesaoana | 7 November 1993 | 13 | 0 | Bantu | |
| MF | Teboho Letsema | 9 September 2002 | 2 | 0 | Linare | |
| MF | Alfred Mosoeu | 21 May 1997 | 1 | 0 | Mangaung Unite | |
| MF | Tlotliso Phatsisi | 26 May 1999 | 1 | 0 | Black Leopards | |
| MF | Tumelo Shai | 1 | 0 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| FW | Jane Thabantso | 22 January 1996 | 80 | 12 | Matlama | |
| FW | Sera Motebang | 1 May 1995 | 59 | 12 | Royal AM | |
| FW | Thabiso Brown | 3 October 1995 | 14 | 1 | Jiangxi Lushan | |
| FW | Katleho Makateng | 20 September 1998 | 14 | 3 | Richards Bay | |
Recent call-ups
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 | 3 May 2003 | 2 | 0 | Lesotho Correctional Services | v. Benin; 21 November 2023 |
| GK | Teboho Ratibisi | 28 November 1998 | 0 | 0 | Lesotho Defence Force | v. Benin; 21 November 2023 |
| DF | Basia Makepe | 4 March 1991 | 68 | 1 | Lioli | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Kopano Tšeka | 8 November 1991 | 48 | 1 | Lioli | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Thabang Malane | 10 June 1997 | 28 | 0 | African All Stars | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Tumelo Makha | 22 October 1999 | 14 | 3 | Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Koenehelo Mothala | 15 July 1993 | 2 | 0 | Linare | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Hlomelang Lebina | 28 November 2000 | 1 | 0 | Lesotho Correctional Services | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
INJ Withdrew due to injury | ||||||
Player records
- As of 28 June 2024[3]
- Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.
Most appearances
| 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 | Kopano Tšeka | 48 | 1 | 2016–present |
| 10 | Mabuti Potloane | 46 | 2 | 2012–2018 |
Top goalscorers
| 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 |
| 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
FIFA World Cup
| FIFA World Cup | Qualification | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1930 to 1962 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/15 | 30 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 57 | ||||||||
Africa Cup of Nations
| 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 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
| 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 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 10 | |||||||||
| 2025 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/34 | 77 | 12 | 21 | 44 | 51 | 146 | ||||||||
COSAFA Cup
| Year | COSAFA Cup | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1997 | Preliminary round | 7th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 | 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
As of 11 June 2024 after match against Rwanda[4]
Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record
| Opponent |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | −8 |
| Angola | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 20 | −14 |
| 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 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 14 | +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 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +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 | 316 | 61 | 96 | 159 | 255 | 514 | −259 |
Kit suppliers
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 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.