Lesotho national football team

Lesotho
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 (92)
Top scorer	Jane Thabantso (15)
Home stadium	Setsoto Stadium
FIFA code	LES
FIFA ranking
Current	148 (10 July 2025)
Highest	105 (August 2014)
Lowest	185 (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
Appearances	22 (first in 1997)
Best result	Runners-up (2000, 2023)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup

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'		Motebang 34' Moerane 43'	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	Rasethuntša 21' Thabantso 31'	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	Kwizera 67'	Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

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

1 July 2024 COSAFA Cup	Namibia	2–1		Gqeberha, South Africa
18:00	Kamberipa 38' Muzeu 69'	Report	Mokhachane 54'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

3 July 2024 COSAFA Cup		1–3	Angola	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00	Fothoane 26'	Report	Depú 42' (pen.) Vidinho 63' Miro 90+5' (pen.)	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

5 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Central African Republic	3–1		El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1	Mafouta 1', 24' Koyalipou 62'	Report	Sera 56'	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	Brahim 90+3'	Stadium: Adrar Stadium Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast)

26 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification		1–0	Namibia	Bloemfontein (South Africa)
	Kalake 22'	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
	Stephanus Katua Eiseb Amutenya Hambira		Matšoele Kalake Kamela Toloane Fothoane

2025

21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	South Africa	2–0		Polokwane, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2	Mofokeng 60' Adams 64'	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	Haraseb 7' Muzeu 74' Kamatuka 82' (pen.)	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

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.

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–present)

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.

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 Cup^INJ
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
4	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	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								6	1	3	2	4	5
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
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	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									6	1	1	4	2	13
2027	To be determined								To be determined
2029	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/35							91	14	24	53	57	169

COSAFA Cup

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

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

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. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
^ "South Africa-Lesotho". FIFA. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^ "Rwanda-Lesotho". FIFA. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^ "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

Lesotho at CAF
Lesotho at FIFA

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-2] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 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.

[1]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

National football teams of Africa (CAF)
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West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
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¹ Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA Football in Africa portal