Wikipedia

Lesotho national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Lesotho women's 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.

Lesotho
Nickname(s)Likuena (Crocodiles)
AssociationLesotho Football Association (LeFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachLeslie Notši
CaptainSekhoane Moerane
Most capsJane Thabantso (92)
Top scorerJane Thabantso (15)
Home stadiumSetsoto Stadium
FIFA codeLES
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 148 Increase 1 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest105 (August 2014)
Lowest185 (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
Appearances22 (first in 1997)
Best resultRunners-up (2000, 2023)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Silver medal – second place 2000 Southern Africa ?
Silver medal – second place 2018 South Africa
Bronze medal – third place 2023 South Africa

History

edit

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

edit

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

2024

edit
21 March Friendly Ethiopia   1–2   Lesotho Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Yohannes   48'
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
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, South Africa
15:00
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
1 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Namibia   2–1   Lesotho Gqeberha, South Africa
18:00
Report
Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
3 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Lesotho   1–3   Angola Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
5 September 2025 AFCON qualification Central African Republic   3–1   Lesotho El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Youcef Gamouh (Algeria)
9 September 2025 AFCON qualification Lesotho   0–1   Morocco Agadir, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast)
26 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Lesotho   1–0   Namibia Bloemfontein (South Africa)
 Report Stadium: Free State Stadium
3 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Namibia   1–0
(3–4 p)		   Lesotho Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Doeseb   61' Stadium: Free State Stadium
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
Penalties

2025

edit
21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification South Africa   2–0   Lesotho Polokwane, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Rwanda   1–1   Lesotho Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2 Report (FIFA)
Report (CAF)		 Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
5 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Malawi   0–1   Lesotho Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Ntaitsane   87' Stadium: Free State Stadium
Referee: Patrice Milazar (Mauritius)
8 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Angola   4–0   Lesotho Bloemfontein, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Referee: Akhona Makalima (South Africa)
10 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Namibia   3–0   Lesotho Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Referee: Thabang Ketshabile (Botswana)
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Lesotho   v   South Africa
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Benin   v   Lesotho
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Lesotho   v   Nigeria
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Lesotho   v   Zimbabwe

Managers

edit
 
Zaviša Milosavljević, here in the middle of the Pakistan national football team staff, became the manager of Lesotho in 2007
Caretaker manager are listed in italics.

Players

edit

Current squad

edit

The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C matches against South Africa and Rwanda on 21 and 25 March 2025.[3][4]

Caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against Rwanda.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Sekhoane Moerane (1997-09-18) 18 September 1997 (age 27) 48 1   Orbit College
1GK Tankiso Chaba (1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 29) 7 0   Lesotho Correctional Services
1GK Nthebe Majoro (1998-07-21) 21 July 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Police Service
2DF Rethabile Rasethuntsa (1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 (age 30) 45 1   Linare
2DF Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (1994-11-05) 5 November 1994 (age 30) 40 1   Kruger United
2DF Thabang Malane (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 (age 28) 40 0   African All Stars
2DF Rethabile Mokokoane (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 29) 22 1   Matlama
2DF Thabo Makhele (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 (age 30) 13 0   Chippa United
2DF Lehlohonolo Matsau (1997-03-06) 6 March 1997 (age 28) 13 0   Lesotho Defence Force
2DF Thato Sefoli (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 30) 8 0   Upington City
2DF Fusi Matlabe (2000-05-23) 23 May 2000 (age 25) 5 0   Mpheni Home Defenders
3MF Tsepo Toloane (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 27) 57 0   Lesotho Defence Force
3MF Lisema Lebokollane (1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 (age 32) 54 0   Matlama
3MF Lehlohonolo Fothoane (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 (age 28) 42 3   Township Rollers
3MF Tshwarelo Bereng (1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 (age 34) 42 2   Orbit College
3MF Thabo Matšoele (1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 32) 20 0   Linare
3MF Mokoteli Mohapi (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 (age 27) 2 0   Lioli
4FW Hlompho Kalake (1994-09-02) 2 September 1994 (age 30) 60 9   Bantu
4FW Neo Mokhachane (1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 (age 28) 26 4   Jwaneng Galaxy
4FW Katleho Makateng (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 26) 27 3   Lesotho Defence Force
4FW Lemohang Lintša (1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 (age 33) 7 0   Limkokwing University
4FW Mohlomi Makhetha (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 24) 6 0   Lesotho Correctional Services
4FW Keketso Snyder (1990-10-16) 16 October 1990 (age 34) 3 0   Lesotho Correctional Services


Recent call-ups

edit

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 22) 2 0   Lesotho Correctional Services v.   Ethiopia; 24 March 2024
GK Monaheng Ramalefane (1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Matlama v.   South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF Motete John Mohai (1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 27) 6 0   Matlama v.   Rwanda; 11 June 2024
DF Kopano Tšeka (1991-11-08) 8 November 1991 (age 33) 50 1   Lioli v.   Namibia; 1 June 2024
DF Bokang Sello (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 32 0   Police v.   South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF Rethabile Senkoto (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 27) 12 0   Lifofane v.   South Africa; 11 January 2024
MF Tumelo Khutlang (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 29) 47 3   Lioli 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Tsepang Sefali (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 28) 20 0   Bantu 2024 COSAFA CupINJ
MF Thabo Lesaoana (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 31) 18 0   Bantu v.   Rwanda; 11 June 2024
MF Alfred Mosoeu (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 28) 1 0   Mangaung Unite v.   South Africa; 11 January 2024
MF Tumelo Shai Unknown 1 0   Kaizer Chiefs v.   South Africa; 11 January 2024
FW Jane Thabantso (1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 29) 92 15   Matlama v.   Gabon; 15 October 2024
FW Thabiso Brown (1995-10-03) 3 October 1995 (age 29) 16 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

edit
As of 18 November 2024[5]
Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.

Most appearances

edit
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Jane Thabantso 92 15 2014–present
2 Sera Motebang 71 12 2016–present
3 Basia Makepe 69 1 2012–present
4 Nkau Lerotholi 68 2 2008–2021
5 Hlompho Kalake 58 8 2015–present
6 Tšepo Toloane 55 0 2018–present
7 Tšoanelo Koetle 54 2 2011–2021
8 Bushi Moletsane 53 3 2004–2015
9 Lisema Lebokollane 51 0 2019–present
10 Kopano Tšeka 50 1 2016–present

Top goalscorers

edit
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Jane Thabantso 15 92 0.16 2014–present
2 Sera Motebang 12 71 0.17 2016–present
3 Refiloe Potse 9 23 0.39 1998–2009
4 Tsepo Seturumane 8 38 0.21 2013–2020
Hlompho Kalake 8 58 0.14 2015–present
6 Thapelo Tale 7 45 0.16 2008–2019
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
Neo Mokhachane 4 25 0.16 2021–present
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

edit

FIFA World Cup

edit
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
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 6 1 3 2 4 5
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/15 32 3 13 16 19 57

Africa Cup of Nations

edit
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 8 1 2 5 4 10
  2025 6 1 1 4 2 13
      2027 To be determined To be determined
  2029
Total 0/35 91 14 24 53 57 169

COSAFA Cup

edit
Year COSAFA Cup record
Round Result Pld 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

edit

As of 10 June 2025 after match against   Namibia[6]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
  Algeria 2 0 0 2 1 9 −8
  Angola 11 1 1 9 7 27 −20
  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
  Central African Republic 2 1 0 1 2 3 –1
  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 6 0 2 4 3 12 −9
  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 24 5 6 13 17 46 −29
  Malaysia 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5
  Mauritius 16 8 3 5 27 23 +4
  Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8
  Mozambique 24 4 7 13 10 33 −23
  Myanmar 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1
  Namibia 15 4 5 6 14 18 –4
  Niger 2 1 0 1 3 3 0
  Nigeria 5 0 1 4 3 11 −8
  Rwanda 2 0 1 1 1 2 −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 16 2 5 9 10 28 −18
  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 330 63 99 168 260 542 −282

Kit suppliers

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  3. ^ "South Africa-Lesotho". FIFA. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Rwanda-Lesotho". FIFA. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Lesotho". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  6. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Lesotho". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lesotho national association football team.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lesotho_national_football_team&oldid=1296595626"