Lesotho national football team facts for kids

Results and fixtures

Managers

Players

Player records

Competitive record

Head-to-head record

2023

2024

Current squad

Recent call-ups

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

FIFA World Cup

Africa Cup of Nations

COSAFA Cup

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
Lesotho

Nickname(s)

Likuena (Crocodiles)

Association

Lesotho Football Association (LeFA)

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

COSAFA (Southern Africa)

Head coach

Veselin Jelušić

Captain

Basia Makepe

Most caps

Jane Thabantso (82)

Top scorer

Jane Thabantso
Sera Motebang (12)

Home stadium

Setsoto Stadium

FIFA code

LES

First colours

Second colours

Third colours

FIFA ranking

Current

146

(7 February 2019)

Highest

105 (August 2014)

Lowest

185 (August 2011)

Elo ranking

Current

136

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

19 (first in 1997))

Best result

Runners-up (2000)

Medal record

COSAFA Cup

Silver	2000 Southern Africa	?
Silver	2018 South Africa
Bronze	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.

Results and fixtures
- 2023
- 2024
Managers
Players
- Current squad
- Recent call-ups
Player records
- Most appearances
- Top goalscorers
Competitive record
Head-to-head record
Kit suppliers
See also

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 AFCON qualification 26 March	Lesotho	0–2	Zambia	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/lesotho/zambia/3783051/	P. Daka 14', 69'	Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Chelanget Sabila (Uganda)

Friendly 14 June	Togo	2–0	Lesotho	Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2	Agbagno 4' Denkey	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/14/world/friendlies/togo/lesotho/4080455/		Stadium: Bidvest Stadium

2023 AFCON qualification 17 June	Lesotho	0–1	Comoros	Johannesburg, South Africa
--:-- UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/20/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/lesotho/comoros/3783053/	M'Changama 90'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Celso Armindo Alvação (Mozambique)

2023 COSAFA Cup 7 July	Mauritius	0–2	Lesotho	Durban
15:00		https://cosafa.com/lesotho-claim-win-angola-mozambique-draw-in-durban/	Mokhachane 15' Sera 90+2'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2023 COSAFA Cup 10 July	Mozambique	0–1	Lesotho	KwaMashu
18:00		https://cosafa.com/lesotho-through-to-semifinals-at-2023-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup/	Mokhachane 34'	Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium

2023 COSAFA Cup 12 July	Angola	4–2	Lesotho	Durban
15:00	Cangue 20' Amor 29' Goncalves 50' Moseka 88'	https://cosafa.com/semifinal-line-up-complete-at-2023-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup/	Makha 3' Mokokoane 44'	Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium

2023 COSAFA Cup F 16 July	Lesotho	0–1	Zambia	Durban
18:00		https://cosafa.com/zambia-claim-record-seventh-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-title/	Libamba 78'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2023 AFCON qualification 9 September	Ivory Coast	1–0	Lesotho	San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC±0	I. Sangaré 16'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/09/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/cote-divoire/lesotho/3783055/		Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November	Nigeria	1–1	Lesotho	Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1	Ajayi 67'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017589	Mkwanazi 56'	Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 November	Lesotho	0–0	Benin	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017593		Stadium: Orlando Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)

Friendly 6 January	Mozambique	2–0	Lesotho	Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2	Mandava 27' Lau King 81' (pen.)	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/06/world/friendlies/mozambique/lesotho/4295950/		Stadium: FNB Stadium

Friendly 11 January	South Africa	0–0	Lesotho	Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/11/world/friendlies/south-africa/lesotho/4295911/		Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium

Friendly 21 March	Ethiopia	1–2	Lesotho	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
	Yohannes 48'		Motebang 34' Moerane 43'	Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium

Friendly 24 March	Ethiopia	2–1	Lesotho

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification June	Zimbabwe	v	Lesotho

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification June	Lesotho	v	Rwanda

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–present)

The following players were selected for the friendly matches against Mozambique and South Africa on 6 and 10 January 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 6 January 2023, after the match against Mozambique.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Sekhoane Moerane	(1997-09-18) 18 September 1997 (age 26)	34	1	Lesotho Mounted Police Service
1GK	Monaheng Ramalefane	(1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 25)	4	0	Matlama

2DF	Motlomelo Mkhwanazi	(1994-11-05) 5 November 1994 (age 29)	35	1	Bantu
2DF	Bokang Sello	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 29)	31	0	Police
2DF	Rethabile Rasethuntsa	(1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 (age 29)	30	0	Linare
2DF	Rethabile Mokokoane	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 28)	14	1	Matlama
2DF	Rethabile Senkoto	(1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26)	12	0	Lifofane
2DF	Thabo Matšoele	(1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 30)	6	0	Matlama
2DF	Motete John Mohai	(1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 25)	5	0	Matlama
2DF	Mohlomi Makhetha	(2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 23)	4	0	Lesotho Correctional Services
2DF	Fusi Matlabe		0	0	Mpheni Home Defenders

3MF	Tsepo Toloane	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 26)	45	0	Lesotho Defence Force
3MF	Tumelo Khutlang	(1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 28)	42	3	Moroka Swallows
3MF	Lisema Lebokollane	(1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 (age 31)	35	0	Matlama
3MF	Tshwarelo Bereng	(1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 (age 33)	33	2	Mbabane Highlanders
3MF	Lehlohonolo Fothoane	(1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 (age 27)	31	1	Bantu
3MF	Neo Mokhachane	(1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 (age 27)	14	2	Bantu
3MF	Tsepang Sefali	(1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 27)	14	0	Bantu
3MF	Thabo Lesaoana	(1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 30)	13	0	Bantu
3MF	Teboho Letsema	(2002-09-09) 9 September 2002 (age 21)	2	0	Linare
3MF	Alfred Mosoeu	(1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Mangaung Unite
3MF	Tlotliso Phatsisi	(1999-05-26) 26 May 1999 (age 24)	1	0	Black Leopards
3MF	Tumelo Shai		1	0	Kaizer Chiefs

4FW	Jane Thabantso	(1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 28)	80	12	Matlama
4FW	Sera Motebang	(1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 28)	59	12	Royal AM
4FW	Thabiso Brown	(1995-10-03) 3 October 1995 (age 28)	14	1	Dandong Tengyue
4FW	Katleho Makateng	(1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 25)	14	3	Richards Bay

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 20)	2	0	Lesotho Correctional Services	v. Benin; 21 November 2023
GK	Teboho Ratibisi	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Lesotho Defence Force	v. Benin; 21 November 2023
GK	Tankiso Chaba	(1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 28)	2	0	Liphakoe	v. Zambia; 26 March 2023

DF	Basia Makepe	(1991-03-04) 4 March 1991 (age 33)	68	1	Lioli	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Kopano Tšeka	(1991-11-08) 8 November 1991 (age 32)	48	1	Lioli	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Thabang Malane	(1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 (age 26)	28	0	African All Stars	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Ngaka Lenka	(1992-06-17) 17 June 1992 (age 31)	1	0	Lesotho Correctional Services	v. Comoros; 17 June 2023
DF	Tsiame Ramabele	(1994-12-25) 25 December 1994 (age 29)	7	0	Lesotho Defence Force	v. Zambia; 26 March 2023

MF	Tumelo Makha	(1999-10-22) 22 October 1999 (age 24)	14	3	Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Koenehelo Mothala	(1993-07-15) 15 July 1993 (age 30)	2	0	Linare	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Thabo Mafatle	(1996-09-18) 18 September 1996 (age 27)	12	0	Lioli	v. Comoros; 17 June 2023
MF	Lehlohonolo Lenka	(1992-06-17) 17 June 1992 (age 31)	5	0	Lesotho Correctional Services	v. Comoros; 17 June 2023

FW	Hlomelang Lebina	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Lesotho Correctional Services	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Retselisitsoe Mopeli	(1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 25)	10	1	Lijabatho	v. Comoros; 17 June 2023
FW	Lemohang Lintsa	(1992-04-03) 3 April 1992 (age 32)	4	0	Limkokwing University	v. Zambia; 26 March 2023
^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.

Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.

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

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
5	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

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	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								2	0	2	0	1	1
2030									To be derermined
2034									To be derermined
Total		0/15							28	2	12	14	16	56

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									7	1	1	5	4	10
2025	To be determined								To be determined
2027	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/34							77	12	21	44	51	146

Year	COSAFA Cup
Year	Round	Result	M	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	In progress
Total	Runners-up	22/22	53	14	15	24	50	74

2023 COSAFA Cup SF 14 July

Malawi

1–1

(0–3 pen)

Lesotho

Kaonga 26' (pen.)

https://cosafa.com/lesotho-zambia-to-contest-2023-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-final/

Thaba-Ntso 18'

Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

Penalties

As of 26 May 2022 after match against Namibia

Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Algeria	2	0	0	2	1	9	−8
Angola	8	1	1	6	4	16	−12
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	5	2	2	1	3	3	0
DR Congo	7	0	4	3	4	17	−13
Ethiopia	5	1	2	2	5	6	−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
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	20	3	4	13	12	43	−31
Malaysia	1	0	0	1	0	5	−5
Mauritius	14	6	3	5	23	22	+1
Mozambique	22	3	7	12	9	31	−22
Myanmar	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Namibia	12	4	4	4	14	13	+1
Niger	2	1	0	1	3	3	0
Nigeria	4	0	0	4	2	10	−8
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	14	2	4	8	10	26	−16
Sudan	2	1	1	0	3	1	+2
Swaziland	41	12	13	16	42	49	−7
Tanzania	5	2	2	1	4	5	−1
Uganda	5	0	2	3	0	8	−8
Zambia	15	1	6	8	9	37	−28
Zimbabwe	24	2	7	15	23	54	−31
Total	289	55	87	147	234	482	−248