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
Lesotho

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

(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 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
Recent results and fixtures
- 2022
- 2023
Managers
Players
- Current squad
- Recent call-ups
Player records
Competitive record
Head-to-head record
Kit suppliers
Honours
See also

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 AFCON preliminary round 23 March	Seychelles	0–0	Lesotho	Saint Pierre, Mauritius
				Stadium: Complexe Sportif de Côte d'Or

2023 AFCON preliminary round 27 March	Lesotho	3–1 (3–1 agg.)	Seychelles	Soweto, South Africa
	Makateng 5', 78' Tseka 9'	https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/03/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/lesotho/seychelles/3738065/	Ernesta 25' (pen.)	Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
Note: Lesotho won 3–1 on aggregate.

Friendly 28 May	Ethiopia	1–1	Lesotho	Adama, Ethiopia
	Bogale 61'	https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/635739	Makha 20'	Stadium: Adama Stadium

Friendly 30 May	Ethiopia	1–1	Lesotho	Adama, Ethiopia
	Hotessa 37'	https://www.footballcritic.com/fifa-friendlies-ethiopia-lesotho/match-report/2693797	Thabantso 71'	Stadium: Adama Stadium

2023 AFCON qualification 3 June	Comoros	2–0	Lesotho	Moroni, Comoros
16:00	M'Changama 59' Youssouf 81'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/03/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/comoros/lesotho/3783045/		Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar)

2023 AFCON qualification 9 June	Lesotho	0–0	Côte d'Ivoire	Johannesburg, South Africa
19:00 UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/09/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/lesotho/cote-divoire/3783047/		Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius)

2022 COSAFA Cup 6 July	Lesotho	2–1	Malawi	Durban, South Africa
	Mkandawire 14' (o.g.) Makateng 56'		Msowoya 88'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2022 COSAFA Cup 8 July	Lesotho	2–1	Mauritius	Durban, South Africa
	Makha 10' Thabantso 72'		Prosper 50'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2022 COSAFA Cup 10 July	Eswatini	2–0	Lesotho	Durban, South Africa
	Gamedze 14' Ndzinisa 19'			Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2023 AFCON qualification September	Zambia	v	Lesotho	Zambia
--:-- UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/zambia/lesotho/3783049/

2023 AFCON qualification September	Lesotho	v	Zambia	South Africa
--:-- UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/lesotho/zambia/3783051/

2023

2023 AFCON qualification March	Lesotho	v	Comoros

2023 AFCON qualification March	Côte d'Ivoire	v	Lesotho

Managers

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 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.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Sekhoane Moerane	(1997-09-18) 18 September 1997 (age 25)	19	0	Lesotho Mounted Police Service
1GK	Monaheng Ramalefane	(1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 24)	3	0	Matlama
1GK	Tankiso Chaba	(1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 27)	2	0	Liphakoe

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

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

4FW	Jane Thabantso	(1996-01-22) 22 January 1996 (age 27)	67	10	Matlama
4FW	Sera Motebang	(1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 28)	49	10	Golden Arrows
4FW	Nkoto Masoabi	(1992-01-14) 14 January 1992 (age 31)	34	2	Merani Martvili
4FW	Tsepo Toloane	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 25)	34	0	Lesotho Defence Force
4FW	Lesia Thetsane	(1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 26)	9	0	Ballard
4FW	Katleho Makateng	(1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 24)	7	3	Richards Bay
4FW	Retselisitsoe Mopeli	(1998-11-04) 4 November 1998 (age 24)	3	0	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 Defence Force	v. Seychelles, 27 March 2022

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

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

Most appearances
Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Jane Thabantso	67	10	2015–present
2	Nkau Lerotholi	66	2	2008–present
3	Basia Makepe	59	1	2012–present
4	Hlompho Kalake	55	7	2015–present
5	Tšoanelo Koetle	54	2	2011–present
6	Bushi Moletsane	53	3	2004–2015
7	Thapelo Mokhele	49	2	2006–2018
7	Sera Motebang	49	10	2016–present
9	Mabuti Potloane	46	2	2012–2018
10	Thapelo Tale	45	7	2008–2019

Top goalscorers
Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Sera Motebang	10	49	0.2	2016–present
1	Jane Thabantso	10	67	0.15	2015–present
3	Refiloe Potse	9	23	0.39	1998–2009
4	Tsepo Seturumane	8	38	0.21	2013–present
5	Thapelo Tale	7	45	0.16	2008–2019
5	Hlompho Kalake	7	55	0.13	2015–present
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

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
1930 to 1970	Part of United Kingdom								Part of United Kingdom
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	Did not enter								Did not enter
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								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
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	To be determined								In progress
2025	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/33							77	12	21	44	51	146

COSAFA Cup

Main page: 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