Lesotho national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Lesotho women's national football team.
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 1 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest105 (August 2014)
Lowest185 (August 2011)
First international
  2–1 Malawi 
(Malawi; 8 August 1970)
Biggest win
  5–0 Swaziland 
(Maseru, Lesotho; 14 April 2006)
Biggest defeat
 Zambia 9–0  
(Botswana; 8 August 1988)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances22 (first in 1997)
Best resultRunners-up (2000, 2023)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
2000 Southern Africa ?
2018 South Africa
2023 South Africa

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.

History

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

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

21 March Friendly Ethiopia  1–2   Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Yohannes 48'
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium
24 March Friendly Ethiopia  2–1   Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium
1 June Friendly   1–1  Namibia
7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Zimbabwe  0–2   Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   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   1–1  Seychelles Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
1 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Namibia  2–1   Gqeberha, South Africa
18:00
Report
  • Mokhachane 54'
 Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
3 July 2024 COSAFA Cup   1–3  Angola Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00
  • Fothoane 26'
 Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
5 September 2025 AFCON qualification Central African Republic  3–1   El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Youcef Gamouh (Algeria)
9 September 2025 AFCON qualification   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   1–0  Namibia Bloemfontein (South Africa)
 Report Stadium: Free State Stadium
3 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Namibia  1–0
(3–4 p)		   Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Doeseb 61' Stadium: Free State Stadium
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
Penalties
  • Matšoele
  • Kalake
  • Kamela
  • Toloane
  • Fothoane

2025

21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification South Africa  2–0   Polokwane, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Rwanda  1–1   Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2 Report (FIFA)
Report (CAF)		 Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
5 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Malawi  0–1   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   Bloemfontein, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2
  • Vidinho 42'
  • Depú 44', 52', 90+4'
 Report Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Referee: Akhona Makalima (South Africa)
10 June 2025 COSAFA Cup Namibia  3–0   Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium
Referee: Thabang Ketshabile (Botswana)
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   v  South Africa
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Benin  v  
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   v  Nigeria
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   v  Zimbabwe

Managers

Caretaker manager are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

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 48 1 Orbit College
1GK Tankiso Chaba (1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 7 0 Lesotho Correctional Services
1GK Nthebe Majoro (1998-07-21) 21 July 1998 0 0 Police Service
2DF Rethabile Rasethuntsa (1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 45 1 Linare
2DF Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (1994-11-05) 5 November 1994 40 1 Kruger United
2DF Thabang Malane (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 40 0 African All Stars
2DF Rethabile Mokokoane (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 22 1 Matlama
2DF Thabo Makhele (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 13 0 Chippa United
2DF Lehlohonolo Matsau (1997-03-06) 6 March 1997 13 0 Lesotho Defence Force
2DF Thato Sefoli (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 8 0 Upington City
2DF Fusi Matlabe (2000-05-23) 23 May 2000 5 0 Mpheni Home Defenders
3MF Tsepo Toloane (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 57 0 Lesotho Defence Force
3MF Lisema Lebokollane (1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 54 0 Matlama
3MF Lehlohonolo Fothoane (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 42 3 Township Rollers
3MF Tshwarelo Bereng (1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 42 2 Orbit College
3MF Thabo Matšoele (1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 20 0 Linare
3MF Mokoteli Mohapi (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 2 0 Lioli
4FW Hlompho Kalake (1994-09-02) 2 September 1994 60 9 Bantu
4FW Neo Mokhachane (1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 26 4 Jwaneng Galaxy
4FW Katleho Makateng (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 27 3 Lesotho Defence Force
4FW Lemohang Lintša (1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 7 0 Limkokwing University
4FW Mohlomi Makhetha (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 6 0 Lesotho Correctional Services
4FW Keketso Snyder (1990-10-16) 16 October 1990 3 0 Lesotho Correctional Services


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 (2003-05-03) 3 May 2003 2 0 Lesotho Correctional Services v.  Ethiopia; 24 March 2024
GK Monaheng Ramalefane (1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 4 0 Matlama v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF Motete John Mohai (1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 6 0 Matlama v.  Rwanda; 11 June 2024
DF Kopano Tšeka (1991-11-08) 8 November 1991 50 1 Lioli v.  Namibia; 1 June 2024
DF Bokang Sello (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 32 0 Police v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF Rethabile Senkoto (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 12 0 Lifofane v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
MF Tumelo Khutlang (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 47 3 Lioli 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Tsepang Sefali (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 20 0 Bantu 2024 COSAFA CupINJ
MF Thabo Lesaoana (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 18 0 Bantu v.  Rwanda; 11 June 2024
MF Alfred Mosoeu (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 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 92 15 Matlama v.  Gabon; 15 October 2024
FW Thabiso Brown (1995-10-03) 3 October 1995 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

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

Most appearances

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

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

FIFA World Cup

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

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

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

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

References

  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. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 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.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lesotho national association football team.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.