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) |
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Association |
Lesotho Football Association |
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Confederation |
CAF (Africa) |
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Sub-confederation |
COSAFA (Southern Africa) |
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Head coach |
Veselin Jelusic |
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Captain |
Basia Makepe |
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Most caps |
Jane Thabantso (67) |
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Top scorer |
Sera Motebang
Jane Thabantso (10) |
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Home stadium |
Setsoto Stadium |
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FIFA code |
LES |
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FIFA ranking |
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Current |
146 (7 February 2019) |
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Highest |
105 (August 2014) |
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Lowest |
185 (August 2011) |
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Elo ranking |
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Current |
136 5 (3 March 2019) |
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Highest |
122 (June 1979) |
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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.) |
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First international |
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Lesotho 2–1 Malawi 
(Malawi; 8 August 1970) |
Biggest win |
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Lesotho 5–0 Swaziland 
(Maseru, Lesotho; 14 April 2006) |
Biggest defeat |
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Zambia 9–0 Lesotho 
(Botswana; 8 August 1988) |
COSAFA Cup |
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Appearances |
19 (first in 1997) |
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Best result |
Runners-up (2000) |
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|
COSAFA Cup |
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Silver |
2000 Southern Africa |
|
Bronze |
2018 South Africa |
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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 AFCON preliminary round 23 March |
Seychelles  |
0–0 |
Lesotho |
Saint Pierre, Mauritius |
|
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|
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Stadium: Complexe Sportif de Côte d'Or
|
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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 |
|
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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)
|
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2023 AFCON qualification 9 June |
Lesotho  |
0–0 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
|
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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 |
|
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|
- Makha
10'
- Thabantso
72'
|
|
- Prosper
50'
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
|
|
2022 COSAFA Cup 10 July |
Eswatini  |
2–0 |
Lesotho |
Durban, South Africa |
|
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|
- Gamedze
14'
- Ndzinisa
19'
|
|
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
|
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2023 AFCON qualification September |
Zambia  |
v |
Lesotho |
Zambia |
|
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--:-- UTC+2 |
|
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/zambia/lesotho/3783049/ |
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|
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2023 AFCON qualification September |
Lesotho  |
v |
Zambia |
South Africa |
|
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--:-- UTC+2 |
|
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/lesotho/zambia/3783051/ |
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|
2023
2023 AFCON qualification March |
Lesotho  |
v |
Comoros |
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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.
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Lesotho squad within the last twelve months.
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 |
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 |
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1 |
Sera Motebang |
10 |
49 |
0.2 |
2016–present |
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 |
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
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record |
|
Qualification record |
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Year |
Round |
Position |
Pld |
W |
D* |
L |
GF |
GA |
Pld |
W |
D* |
L |
GF |
GA |
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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 |
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 |
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 |
Total |
|
0/33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
77 |
12 |
21 |
44 |
51 |
146 |
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COSAFA Cup
Main page: COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup record |
---|
Year |
Result |
Rank |
M |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
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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 |
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Head-to-head record
As of 26 May 2022 after match against
Namibia
Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record
Kit suppliers
Uhlsport (2000)
Umbro (2002, 2006)
Uhlsport (2007)
Adidas (2008–2011)
Basutoland Ink (2012–2019)
Umbro (2019–)
Honours
- COSAFA Cup :
-
See also