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Lesotho national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Lesotho women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Lesollo
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
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 146 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 105 (August 2014)
Lowest 185 (August 2011)
Elo ranking
Current 136 Increase 5 (3 March 2019)
Highest 122 (June 1979)
Lowest 179 (June 2016)
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 22 (first in 1997)
Best result Runners-up (2000, 2023)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Silver 2000 Southern Africa ?
Silver 2018 South Africa
Bronze 2023 South Africa

The Lesotho national football team, also called LNFT, plays for Lesotho in international men's association football games. The team is managed by the Lesotho Football Association. Their nickname is Likuena, which means "Crocodiles".

History of Lesotho Football

After Lesotho became independent from the United Kingdom in 1966, the Lesotho Football Association was formed. The Lesotho national football team played its first game on August 7, 1970. They won 2-1 against Malawi.

Lesotho first tried to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. They tied 0-0 against Zambia at home. But they lost the second game 1-6 and were out of the competition.

The team also tried to qualify for the 1974 AFCON. They lost 1-5 to Mauritius after a 0-0 draw.

Lesotho won their first ever qualification round for the 1994 AFCON. They beat Botswana 4-0 overall. All four goals were scored in the second game in Botswana. This win helped them reach the group stage. They tied games against Kenya (2-2), Zaire (1-1), and Mozambique (1-1) at home. However, they lost all their away games and finished last in their group.

Lesotho withdrew from the 1996 AFCON qualifiers. Because of this, they were banned from the next tournament. They returned for the 2000 AFCON qualifiers, but lost to Mauritius in the first round.

In the 1999 COSAFA Cup, Lesotho qualified by beating Namibia 1-0. They then lost 0-1 to Angola in the quarter-finals. The next year, in the 2000 COSAFA Cup, Lesotho had their best finish. They reached the final after beating Zambia on penalties and Angola 2-1. In the final, they lost to Zimbabwe and finished as runners-up.

Recent Matches and Future Games

This section shows the team's match results from the last 12 months and any upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

Team Coaches and Managers

Here is a list of the people who have managed the Lesotho national football team. Caretaker managers (who lead the team temporarily) are shown in italics.

  • South Africa April Phumo (1979–1995)
  • Lesotho Lefa Ramakau (2000–??)
  • Lesotho Monaheng Monyane (2003–2004)
  • Germany Antoine Hey (2004–2006)
  • Lesotho Motheo Mohapi (2006–2007)
  • Serbia Zaviša Milosavljević (2007–2009)
  • Lesotho Leslie Notši (2009)
  • Lesotho Leslie Notši (2011–2013)
  • Lesotho Adam Siddorn (2013)
  • Lesotho Seephephe Matete (2014–2015)
  • South Africa Moses Maliehe (2015–2019)
  • Lesotho Mpitsa Marai (2019)
  • South Africa Thabo Senong (2019–2021)
  • Lesotho Leslie Notši (2021–2022)
  • Serbia Veselin Jelušić (2022–2023)
  • Lesotho Leslie Notši (2023–present)

Team Players

Current Squad Members

These players were chosen for the 2024 COSAFA Cup. The numbers for caps (games played) and goals are correct as of June 28, 2024.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Sekhoane Moerane (1997-09-18) 18 September 1997 (age 27) 39 1 Lesotho Lesotho Mounted Police Service
1GK Tankiso Chaba (1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Lesotho Lesotho Correctional Services
1GK Ntsane Molise (1994-07-30) 30 July 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Lesotho Linare
2DF Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (1994-11-05) 5 November 1994 (age 30) 38 1 Lesotho Bantu
2DF Rethabile Rasethuntsa (1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 (age 30) 36 1 Lesotho Linare
2DF Thabang Malane (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 (age 28) 31 0 South Africa African All Stars
2DF Rethabile Mokokoane (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 29) 15 1 Lesotho Matlama
2DF Thabo Matšoele (1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 32) 11 0 Lesotho Matlama
2DF Thabo Makhele (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994 (age 30) 4 0 South Africa Chippa United
2DF Thato Sefoli (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 30) 3 0 South Africa Upington City
2DF Fusi Matlabe (2000-05-23) 23 May 2000 (age 25) 0 0 South Africa Mpheni Home Defenders
3MF Tsepo Toloane (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 27) 48 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force
3MF Tumelo Khutlang (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 29) 45 3 Lesotho Lioli
3MF Lisema Lebokollane (1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 (age 32) 41 0 Lesotho Matlama
3MF Tshwarelo Bereng (1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 (age 34) 38 2 Eswatini Mbabane Highlanders
3MF Lehlohonolo Fothoane (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 (age 28) 36 2 Lesotho Bantu
3MF Neo Mokhachane (1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 (age 28) 18 2 Lesotho Bantu
3MF Lehlohonolo Matsau (1997-03-06) 6 March 1997 (age 28) 4 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force
3MF Tlotliso Phatsisi (1999-05-26) 26 May 1999 (age 26) 4 0 South Africa Black Leopards
3MF Paseka Maile 1 0 Lesotho Kick4Life
4FW Jane Thabantso (1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 29) 87 15 Lesotho Matlama
4FW Sera Motebang (1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 30) 64 11 South Africa Royal AM
4FW Katleho Makateng (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 26) 17 3 South Africa Richards Bay

Players Recently Called Up

These players have also been called to the Lesotho squad in the last year.


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 Lesotho Correctional Services v.  Ethiopia; 24 March 2024
GK Monaheng Ramalefane (1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Lesotho Matlama v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
GK Teboho Ratibisi (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force v.  Benin; 21 November 2023
DF Motete John Mohai (1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 27) 6 0 Lesotho Matlama v.  Rwanda; 11 June 2024
DF Kopano Tšeka (1991-11-08) 8 November 1991 (age 33) 48 1 Lesotho Lioli v.  Namibia; 1 June 2024
DF Bokang Sello (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 32 0 Botswana Police v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF Rethabile Senkoto (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 27) 12 0 Lesotho Lifofane v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
DF Mohlomi Makhetha (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 24) 4 0 Lesotho Lesotho Correctional Services v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
MF Tsepang Sefali (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 28) 19 0 Lesotho Bantu 2024 COSAFA CupINJ
MF Teboho Letsema (2002-09-09) 9 September 2002 (age 22) 5 0 Lesotho Linare 2024 COSAFA CupWD
MF Thabo Lesaoana (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 31) 18 0 Lesotho Bantu v.  Rwanda; 11 June 2024
MF Alfred Mosoeu (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 28) 1 0 South Africa Mangaung Unite v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
MF Tumelo Shai 1 0 South Africa Kaizer Chiefs v.  South Africa; 11 January 2024
FW Lemohang Lintša (1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 (age 33) 4 0 Lesotho Limkokwing University 2024 COSAFA CupWD
FW Thabiso Brown (1995-10-03) 3 October 1995 (age 29) 15 1 China 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 and Achievements

This section lists the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Lesotho. Players whose names are in bold are still active with the team.

Most Games Played

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Jane Thabantso 92 15 2014–present
2 Basia Makepe 69 1 2012–present
Sera Motebang 69 12 2016–present
4 Nkau Lerotholi 68 2 2008–2021
5 Hlompho Kalake 56 8 2015–present
6 Tšoanelo Koetle 54 2 2011–2021
7 Bushi Moletsane 53 3 2004–2015
8 Tšepo Toloane 52 0 2018–present
9 Kopano Tšeka 50 1 2016–present
10 Thapelo Mokhele 49 2 2006–2018

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Jane Thabantso 15 92 0.16 2014–present
2 Sera Motebang 12 69 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 56 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
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

Tournament Records

FIFA World Cup History

This table shows how Lesotho has performed in the FIFA World Cup and its qualification rounds.

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 United Kingdom Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom
1966 and 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 6
Argentina 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 4
Mexico 1986 Withdrew Withdrew
Italy 1990
1994 and 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
South Africa 2010 6 0 0 6 2 16
Brazil 2014 8 2 3 3 7 17
Russia 2018 2 0 2 0 1 1
Qatar 2022 2 0 2 0 1 1
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 1 2 1 3 2
Total 0/15 30 3 12 15 18 57

Africa Cup of Nations History

This table shows Lesotho's performance in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965 Did not enter Did not enter
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 5
Ethiopia 1976 Withdrew Withdrew
Ghana 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Nigeria 1980 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2
Libya 1982 2 1 0 1 3 7
Ivory Coast 1984 Withdrew Withdrew
Egypt 1986 Did not enter Did not enter
Morocco 1988 Withdrew Withdrew
Algeria 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
Senegal 1992
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify 8 1 4 3 8 17
South Africa 1996 Withdrew during qualifying 6 1 0 5 3 16
Burkina Faso 1998 Banned Banned for withdrawing in 1996
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 4
Mali 2002 7 2 3 3 8 10
Tunisia 2004 4 1 0 3 1 10
Egypt 2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
Ghana 2008 6 1 1 4 3 9
Angola 2010 6 0 0 6 2 16
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012 Did not enter Did not enter
South Africa 2013 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1
Equatorial Guinea 2015 10 2 3 5 6 13
Gabon 2017 6 1 0 5 5 16
Egypt 2019 6 1 3 2 3 7
Cameroon 2021 6 0 3 3 3 9
Ivory Coast 2023 8 1 2 5 4 10
Morocco 2025 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/34 85 13 23 49 55 156

COSAFA Cup History

This table shows Lesotho's results in the COSAFA Cup, a regional football tournament.

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
South Africa 2008 Preliminary round 12th 3 1 1 1 2 2
Zimbabwe 2009 Group stage 10th 2 1 1 0 3 2
Zambia 2013 Fourth place 4th 6 1 3 2 10 10
South Africa 2015 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 2 4
Namibia 2016 Quarter-finals 7th 5 3 1 1 9 4
South Africa 2017 Fourth place 4th 3 0 2 1 3 4
South Africa 2018 Third place 3rd 3 2 1 0 2 0
South Africa 2019 Fourth place 4th 3 0 2 1 3 4
South Africa 2021 Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 3 12
South Africa 2022 Group stage 10th 3 2 0 1 4 4
South Africa 2023 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 1 2 6 6
Total Runners-up 22/22 58 16 16 26 56 80

Head-to-Head Records

This table shows Lesotho's match results against different opponents. The colors show if their record is positive (more wins), neutral (equal wins/losses), or negative (more losses). This data is current as of November 18, 2024.

      Positive Record       Neutral Record       Negative Record

Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Algeria 2 0 0 2 1 9 −8
 Angola 10 1 1 8 7 23 −16
 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 23 4 6 13 16 46 −30
 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 14 4 5 5 14 15 –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 5 2 2 1 6 5 +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
 Swaziland 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 325 62 98 165 258 532 −274

Team Kit Sponsors

These companies have provided the football kits for the Lesotho national team over the years.

  • Germany Uhlsport (2000, 2007)
  • United Kingdom Umbro (2002, 2006, 2019–)
  • Germany Adidas (2008–2011)
  • Lesotho Basutoland Ink (2012–2019)

See also

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