kids encyclopedia robot

Lesotho national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Lesotho
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Likuena (Crocodiles)
Association Lesotho Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Veselin Jelusic
Captain Basia Makepe
Most caps Jane Thabantso (67)
Top scorer Sera Motebang
Jane Thabantso (10)
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 Lesotho's first attempt at qualification for the World Cup is missing. The first leg n April 30th 1972 ended 0-0 against Zmbia in Maseru's National Stadium. The return leg ended 6-1 to Zambia on June 4th 1972.)
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
Bronze 2018 South Africa

The Lesotho national football team represents Lesotho in men's international football and is governed by the Lesotho Football Association. The team's nickname is "Likuena" (Crocodiles). The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals and the Africa Cup of Nations finals in history. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History

The team played their first international match in 1970, a 2–1 victory against Malawi. They have not qualified for a FIFA World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations yet.

Their highest position in the FIFA World Ranking was 105th in August 2014.

Their biggest ever win was 5–0 against Swaziland in April 2006.

From 2004 to 2006, the German Antoine Hey coached the national side. The ambitious goal was the qualification for the 2010 World Cup in neighbouring South Africa. However, after one and a half years, Hey was dismissed for failing. The successor was the Serb Zavisa Milosavljevic, who was also dismissed in September 2009 and was replaced by Lesotho native Leslie Notši, who was previously the assistant coach of the national team. In 2014 Seephephe "Mochini" Matete trained the team, a former international. Moses Maliehe became the coach in 2016.

The biggest success of the national team was reaching the final of the 2000 COSAFA Cup. In 2005 the under-20 national team qualified for the 2005 African Youth Championship. They finished third place of Group B, with a win and two losses.

The nickname of the national team is Likuena (Sesotho for "the crocodiles").

Recent results and fixtures

2022

2023

Managers

Caretaker manager are listed 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 Jelusic (2022–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the friendly matches against Namibia and Ethiopia on 26 and 29 May respectively and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Comoros and Ivory Coast on 3 and June 2022 respectively.

Caps and goals correct as of 10 July 2022, after the match against Eswatini.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Sekhoane Moerane (1997-09-18) 18 September 1997 (age 25) 19 0 Lesotho Lesotho Mounted Police Service
1GK Monaheng Ramalefane (1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 24) 3 0 Lesotho Matlama
1GK Tankiso Chaba (1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 27) 2 0 Lesotho Liphakoe

2DF Basia Makepe (1991-03-04) 4 March 1991 (age 32) 59 1 Lesotho Lesotho Mounted Police Service
2DF Kopano Tseka (1991-11-08) 8 November 1991 (age 31) 39 1 Lesotho Lesotho Correctional Services
2DF Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (1994-11-05) 5 November 1994 (age 28) 26 0 Lesotho Bantu
2DF Lisema Lebokollane (1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 (age 30) 23 0 Lesotho Matlama
2DF Thabang Malane (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 (age 26) 18 0 Lesotho Liphakoe
2DF Rethabile Rasethuntsa (1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 (age 28) 16 0 Lesotho Linare
2DF Rethabile Mokokoane (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 27) 6 0 Lesotho Matlama
2DF Tsiame Ramabele 4 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force
2DF Rethabile Senkoto Unknown 2 0 Lesotho Lifofane

3MF Tshwarelo Bereng (1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 (age 32) 21 1 Swaziland Mbabane Highlanders
3MF Tumelo Makha (1999-10-22) 22 October 1999 (age 23) 10 2 South Africa Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila
3MF Thabo Mafatle Unknown 6 0 Lesotho Lijabatho

4FW Jane Thabantso (1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 27) 67 10 Lesotho Matlama
4FW Sera Motebang (1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 28) 49 10 South Africa Golden Arrows
4FW Nkoto Masoabi (1992-01-14) 14 January 1992 (age 31) 34 2 Georgia (country) Merani Martvili
4FW Tsepo Toloane (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 25) 34 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force
4FW Lesia Thetsane (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 26) 9 0 United States Ballard
4FW Katleho Makateng (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 24) 7 3 South Africa Richards Bay
4FW Retselisitsoe Mopeli (1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 24) 3 0 Lesotho Lijabatho

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 Likano Mphuthing (1989-04-24) 24 April 1989 (age 34) 15 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022

DF John Mohai (1998-01-05) 5 January 1998 (age 25) 2 0 Lesotho Matlama v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
DF Refiloe Mothae (1991-06-06) 6 June 1991 (age 32) 3 0 Lesotho Lesotho Correctional Services v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022

MF Tumelo Khutlang (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 27) 42 3 South Africa Black Leopards v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Lehlohonolo Fothoane (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 (age 26) 22 1 Lesotho Bantu v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Neo Mokhachane (1996-09-22) 22 September 1996 (age 26) 3 0 Lesotho Bantu v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Tshepang Sefali (1996-07-07) 7 July 1996 (age 26) 2 0 Lesotho Bantu v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Moteloa Khemisi (1999-03-15) 15 March 1999 (age 24) 1 0 Lesotho Matlama v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Motlatsi Kokoana 1 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Thabo Lesaoana (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 29) 4 0 Lesotho Bantu v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022
MF Letlatsa Moshoeshoe (1992-08-31) 31 August 1992 (age 30) 2 0 Lesotho Lesotho Defence Force v.  Seychelles, 27 March 2022


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

Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to Mexico 1970 Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom Part of United Kingdom United Kingdom
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
United States 1994 Did not enter Did not enter
France 1998
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 To be determined
Total 0/22 26 2 10 14 15 55

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
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
Côte d'Ivoire 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
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 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
Côte d'Ivoire 2023 To be determined In progress
Guinea 2025 To be determined
Total 0/33 77 12 21 44 51 146

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup record
Year Result Rank 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
 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
Total Runners-up 20/20 50 12 15 23 46 70

Head-to-head record

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
 Congo DR 7 0 4 3 4 17 −13
 Ethiopia 4 0 2 2 3 5 −2
 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 288 54 87 147 232 481 −249

Kit suppliers

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

Honours

COSAFA Cup :
  • Runners-up: 2000

See also

kids search engine
Lesotho national football team Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.