Lesotho national football team facts for kids
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 | 146 ![]() |
|||||||||||||
Highest | 105 (August 2014) | |||||||||||||
Lowest | 185 (August 2011) | |||||||||||||
Elo ranking | ||||||||||||||
Current | 136 ![]() |
|||||||||||||
Highest | 122 (June 1979) | |||||||||||||
Lowest | 179 (June 2016) | |||||||||||||
First international | ||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 8 August 1970) |
||||||||||||||
Biggest win | ||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Maseru, Lesotho; 14 April 2006) |
||||||||||||||
Biggest defeat | ||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Botswana; 8 August 1988) |
||||||||||||||
COSAFA Cup | ||||||||||||||
Appearances | 22 (first in 1997) | |||||||||||||
Best result | Runners-up (2000, 2023) | |||||||||||||
Medal record
|
The Lesotho national football team, also known as LNFT, represents the country of Lesotho in men's international association football games. The team is managed by the Lesotho Football Association. They are nicknamed Likuena, which means "Crocodiles" in the Sesotho language.
Contents
History of Lesotho Football
After Lesotho became independent from the United Kingdom in 1966, the Lesotho Football Association was formed. The 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 World Cup. They drew 0–0 at home against Zambia. However, 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 in their first match. Lesotho faced Mauritius again when trying to qualify for the 1980 AFCON. They lost because of the away goals rule.
In the qualifiers for the 1982 tournament, Lesotho lost 3–7 overall to Mozambique. They then played Guinea in the 1982 World Cup qualifiers. They lost that series 4–2.
Lesotho won their first ever qualification round for the 1994 AFCON. They beat Botswana 4–0. All four goals were scored in the second game in Botswana. This win allowed them to reach the group stage of qualifying.
In the group stage, they drew against Kenya (2–2), Zaire (1–1), and Mozambique (1–1) at home. However, they lost all three away games. This meant they finished last in their group.
Lesotho pulled out of the 1996 AFCON qualifiers. Because of this, they were banned from the next tournament. They returned for the 2000 AFCON qualifiers. They lost in the first round to Mauritius.
Lesotho qualified for the 1999 COSAFA Cup by beating Namibia 1–0. But they lost 0–1 to Angola in the quarter-finals. Angola went on to win the tournament.
The next year, Lesotho had their best finish ever at the 2000 COSAFA Cup. They only qualified for the tournament because of a disciplinary record. They beat Zambia 3–1 in a penalty shootout. Then, they scored two late goals against Angola in the semi-finals to win 2–1. In the final, they lost 3–0 twice to Zimbabwe. This made them the runners-up.
Recent Games
Here are some of the games Lesotho has played recently.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
Games in 2024
21 March Friendly | Ethiopia ![]() |
1–2 | ![]() |
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium |
24 March Friendly | Ethiopia ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium |
7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Zimbabwe ![]() |
0–2 | ![]() |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini) |
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Lesotho ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Durban, South Africa |
18:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo) |
28 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Lesotho ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa |
15:00 | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
1 July 2024 COSAFA Cup | Namibia ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa |
18:00 | Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
3 July 2024 COSAFA Cup | Lesotho ![]() |
1–3 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa |
15:00 | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
5 September 2025 AFCON qualification | Central African Republic ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
El Jadida, Morocco |
16:00 UTC+1 | Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Youcef Gamouh (Algeria) |
9 September 2025 AFCON qualification | Lesotho ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Agadir, Morocco |
19:00 UTC+1 | Stadium: Adrar Stadium Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast) |
26 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification | Lesotho ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Bloemfontein (South Africa) |
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 ![]() |
Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini) |
||
Penalties | ||||
|
|
Games in 2025
21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | South Africa ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Polokwane, South Africa |
18:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium |
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Rwanda ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Kigali, Rwanda |
18:00 UTC+2 | Stadium: Amahoro Stadium |
5 June 2025 COSAFA Cup | Malawi ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Bloemfontein, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Ntaitsane ![]() |
Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazar (Mauritius) |
8 June 2025 COSAFA Cup | Angola ![]() |
4–0 | ![]() |
Bloemfontein, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 | 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 |
|
Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium Referee: Thabang Ketshabile (Botswana) |
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Lesotho ![]() |
v | ![]() |
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Benin ![]() |
v | ![]() |
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Lesotho ![]() |
v | ![]() |
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Lesotho ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Team Managers
Here is a list of the people who have managed the Lesotho national football team.
- Caretaker managers are shown 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)
Team Players
Current Squad
These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C games. These matches were against South Africa and Rwanda in March 2025.
The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of March 25, 2025, after the game against Rwanda.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Sekhoane Moerane | 18 September 1997 | 48 | 1 | ![]() |
|
GK | Tankiso Chaba | 27 December 1995 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Nthebe Majoro | 21 July 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
DF | Rethabile Rasethuntsa | 22 November 1994 | 45 | 1 | ![]() |
|
DF | Motlomelo Mkhwanazi | 5 November 1994 | 40 | 1 | ![]() |
|
DF | Thabang Malane | 10 June 1997 | 40 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Rethabile Mokokoane | 6 April 1996 | 22 | 1 | ![]() |
|
DF | Thabo Makhele | 17 December 1994 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Lehlohonolo Matsau | 6 March 1997 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Thato Sefoli | 22 May 1995 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Fusi Matlabe | 23 May 2000 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
MF | Tsepo Toloane | 15 July 1997 | 57 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Lisema Lebokollane | 25 February 1993 | 54 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Lehlohonolo Fothoane | 23 February 1997 | 42 | 3 | ![]() |
|
MF | Tshwarelo Bereng | 30 October 1990 | 42 | 2 | ![]() |
|
MF | Thabo Matšoele | 23 May 1993 | 20 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Mokoteli Mohapi | 24 January 1998 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
FW | Hlompho Kalake | 2 September 1994 | 60 | 9 | ![]() |
|
FW | Neo Mokhachane | 22 September 1996 | 26 | 4 | ![]() |
|
FW | Katleho Makateng | 20 September 1998 | 27 | 3 | ![]() |
|
FW | Lemohang Lintša | 3 April 1992 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Mohlomi Makhetha | 21 September 2000 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Keketso Snyder | 16 October 1990 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
Recent Call-ups
These players were also called to the Lesotho squad in the last year.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Seahlolo Mosoeu | 3 May 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Monaheng Ramalefane | 22 December 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
DF | Motete John Mohai | 1 May 1998 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Kopano Tšeka | 8 November 1991 | 50 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Bokang Sello | 8 August 1994 | 32 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Rethabile Senkoto | 16 January 1998 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
MF | Tumelo Khutlang | 23 October 1995 | 47 | 3 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Tsepang Sefali | 7 July 1996 | 20 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA CupINJ |
MF | Thabo Lesaoana | 7 November 1993 | 18 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Alfred Mosoeu | 21 May 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Tumelo Shai | Unknown | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
FW | Jane Thabantso | 22 January 1996 | 92 | 15 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Thabiso Brown | 3 October 1995 | 16 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Player Records
These tables show the players with the most games and most goals for Lesotho.
- Players in bold are still playing for Lesotho.
Most Games Played
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 Goal Scorers
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 |
Tournament Records
This section shows how Lesotho has performed in major football tournaments.
FIFA World Cup
Lesotho has tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup several times. They have not yet made it to the main tournament.
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 ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
|||||||||||||
1966 and 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
1994 and 1998 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 17 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
Total | 0/15 | 32 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 57 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Lesotho has also tried to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but has not yet reached the main tournament.
Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
![]() |
Part of ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
|||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | |||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 17 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 16 | ||||||||
![]() |
Banned | Banned for withdrawing in 1996 | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||
![]() |
7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||
![]() |
10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 13 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 16 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||
Total | 0/35 | 91 | 14 | 24 | 53 | 57 | 169 |
COSAFA Cup
The COSAFA Cup is a football tournament for teams in Southern Africa. Lesotho has done well in this competition, reaching the final twice.
Kit Suppliers
The Lesotho national football team has had different companies make their uniforms over the years.
Uhlsport (2000)
Umbro (2002, 2006)
Uhlsport (2007)
Adidas (2008–2011)
Basutoland Ink (2012–2019)
Umbro (2019–)
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Lesoto para niños