Lesotho national football team
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 (85) | |||
Top scorer | Jane Thabantso (14) | |||
Home stadium | Setsoto Stadium | |||
FIFA code | LES | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 152 1 (24 October 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 |
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.
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
14 June Friendly | Togo | 2–0 | Lesotho | Johannesburg, South Africa |
16:00 UTC+2 | Agbagno 4' Denkey |
Report | Stadium: Bidvest Stadium |
17 June 2023 AFCON qualification | Lesotho | 0–1 | Comoros | Johannesburg, South Africa |
--:-- UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Celso Armindo Alvação (Mozambique) |
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) |
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.[3]
Caps and goals correct as of 6 January 2023, after the match against Mozambique.
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 |
GK | Tankiso Chaba | 27 December 1995 | 2 | 0 | Liphakoe | v. Zambia; 26 March 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 |
DF | Ngaka Lenka | 17 June 1992 | 1 | 0 | Lesotho Correctional Services | v. Comoros; 17 June 2023 |
DF | Tsiame Ramabele | 25 December 1994 | 7 | 0 | Lesotho Defence Force | v. Zambia; 26 March 2023 |
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 |
MF | Thabo Mafatle | 18 September 1996 | 12 | 0 | Lioli | v. Comoros; 17 June 2023 |
MF | Lehlohonolo Lenka | 17 June 1992 | 5 | 0 | Lesotho Correctional Services | v. Comoros; 17 June 2023 |
FW | Hlomelang Lebina | 28 November 2000 | 1 | 0 | Lesotho Correctional Services | 2023 COSAFA Cup |
FW | Retselisitsoe Mopeli | 4 November 1998 | 10 | 1 | Lijabatho | v. Comoros; 17 June 2023 |
FW | Lemohang Lintsa | 3 April 1992 | 4 | 0 | Limkokwing University | v. Zambia; 26 March 2023 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Player records
- As of 21 November 2023[4]
- Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.
Most appearances
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jane Thabantso | 79 | 12 | 2015–present |
2 | Basia Makepe | 68 | 1 | 2012–present |
3 | Nkau Lerotholi | 66 | 2 | 2008–2021 |
4 | Sera Motebang | 58 | 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 | 12 | 79 | 0.15 | 2015–present |
2 | Sera Motebang | 11 | 58 | 0.19 | 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[5]
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
- Uhlsport (2000)
- Umbro (2002, 2006)
- Uhlsport (2007)
- Adidas (2008–2011)
- Basutoland Ink (2012–2019)
- Umbro (2019–)
References
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 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.