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Lesotho national football team
Men's association football team
Men's association football team
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Lesotho |
| Badge_size | 180 px |
| Nickname | Likuena (Crocodiles) |
| Association | Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) |
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) |
| Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) |
| Coach | Leslie Notši |
| Captain | Sekhoane Moerane |
| Most caps | Jane Thabantso (98) |
| Top scorer | Jane Thabantso (15) |
| Home Stadium | Setsoto Stadium |
| FIFA Trigramme | LES |
| FIFA Rank | |
| FIFA max | 105 |
| FIFA max date | August 2014 |
| FIFA min | 185 |
| FIFA min date | August 2011 |
| Elo Rank | |
| Elo max | 122 |
| Elo max date | June 1979 |
| Elo min | 179 |
| Elo min date | June 2016 |
| pattern_la1 | _lesotho1920h |
| pattern_b1 | _lesotho1920h |
| pattern_ra1 | _lesotho1920h |
| pattern_sh1 | _lesotho1920h |
| pattern_so1 | _lesotho1920h |
| leftarm1 | 177d36 |
| rightarm1 | 177d36 |
| shorts1 | 177d36 |
| socks1 | FFFFFF |
| pattern_la2 | _lesotho1920a |
| pattern_b2 | _lesotho1920a |
| pattern_ra2 | _lesotho1920a |
| pattern_sh2 | _lesotho1920a |
| pattern_so2 | _lesotho1920a |
| shorts2 | 008c54 |
| socks2 | 008c54 |
| pattern_la3 | _lesotho1920a |
| pattern_b3 | _lesotho1920t |
| pattern_ra3 | _lesotho1920a |
| pattern_sh3 | _lesotho1920t |
| socks3 | 0000FF |
| First game | 2–1 |
| (Malawi; 8 August 1970) | |
| Largest win | 5–0 |
| (Maseru, Lesotho; 14 April 2006) | |
| Largest loss | 9–0 |
| (Botswana; 8 August 1988) | |
| 3rdRegional name | COSAFA Cup |
| 3rdRegional cup apps | 22 |
| 3rdRegional cup first | 1997 |
| 3rdRegional cup best | Runners-up (2000, 2023) |
the men's team
| Sub-confederation = COSAFA (Southern Africa) (Malawi; 8 August 1970) (Maseru, Lesotho; 14 April 2006) (Botswana; 8 August 1988)
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.
History
Following Lesotho's independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, the Lesotho Football Association was created, and later, the Lesotho national football team, which played its first match on 7 August 1970 against Malawi, where Lesotho won 2-1.
Lesotho participated in its first World Cup qualifiers, for the 1974 tournament, drawing 0–0 against Zambia at home before losing 1–6 in the second leg and getting eliminated. Lesotho was also eliminated in the first round of qualifying for the 1974 AFCON, losing 1–5 to Mauritius after a 0–0 draw in the first leg. Lesotho faced Mauritius again in their next attempt to qualify for 1980 AFCON, losing on away goals. In qualifying for the 1982 tournament, Lesotho lost 3–7 on aggregate to Mozambique. Lesotho then faced Guinea in the 1982 World Cup first qualification round, losing 4–2 on aggregate.
Lesotho won their first ever qualification tie during the 1994 AFCON qualifiers, beating Botswana 4–0 on aggregate, with all four goals coming in the second leg in Botswana. With this victory they entered the group stage of qualifying, managing to draw against Kenya (2–2), Zaire (1–1), and Mozambique (1–1) at home, but losing all three away fixtures to finish bottom of the group.
Lesotho withdrew from the 1996 AFCON qualification and was subsequently banned from the next tournament therefore next entered the 2000 AFCON qualifiers, losing in the first round to Mauritius. Lesotho qualified for the 1999 COSAFA Cup after beating Namibia 1–0, but lost to eventual winners Angola 0–1 in the quarter-finals. The following year Lesotho produced their best ever finish at the 2000 COSAFA Cup, only qualifying for the tournament via disciplinary record. They beat Zambia 3–1 on penalties before scoring two late goals against Angola in the semi-finals to win 2–1. In the final they lost 3–0 twice across two legs to Zimbabwe to finish as runners-up.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2025
- Mofokeng
- Adams Report (CAF)
- Vidinho
- Depú
- Haraseb
- Muzeu
- Kamatuka
2026
Managers
:Caretaker manager are listed in italics.
- RSA April Phumo (1979–1995)
- LES Lefa Ramakau (2000–??)
- LES Monaheng Monyane (2003–2004)
- GER Antoine Hey (2004–2006)
- LES Motheo Mohapi (2006–2007)
- SRB Zaviša Milosavljević (2007–2009)
- LES Leslie Notši (2009)
- LES Leslie Notši (2011–2013)
- LES Adam Siddorn (2013)
- LES Seephephe Matete (2014–2015)
- RSA Moses Maliehe (2015–2019)
- LES Mpitsa Marai (2019)
- RSA Thabo Senong (2019–2021)
- LES Leslie Notši (2021–2022)
- SRB Veselin Jelušić (2022–2023)
- LES Leslie Notši (2023–present)
Players
Current squad
The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C matches against South Africa and Rwanda on 21 and 25 March 2025.
Caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against Rwanda.
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Lesotho squad within the last twelve months.
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
| 2014–present |
|---|
| 2 |
| 12 |
| 76 |
|
| 2016–present |
|---|
| 3 |
| 11 |
| 63 |
|
| 2015–present |
|---|
| 4 |
| 9 |
| 23 |
|
| 1998–2009 |
|---|
| 5 |
| 8 |
| 38 |
|
| 2013–2020 |
|---|
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 45 |
|
| 2008–2019 |
|---|
| 5 |
| 19 |
|
| 1995–2004 |
|---|
| 5 |
| 20 |
|
| 1998–2004 |
|---|
| 5 |
| 22 |
|
| 1998–2006 |
|---|
| 4 |
| 23 |
|
| 2003–2013 |
|---|
| 4 |
| 29 |
|
| 2006–2009 |
|---|
| 4 |
| 30 |
|
| 2021–present |
|---|
| 4 |
| 35 |
|
| 1998–2008 |
|---|
| 4 |
| 38 |
|
| 2006–2018 |
|---|
| 4 |
| 39 |
|
| 2005–2017 |
|---|
| 4 |
| 47 |
|
| 2017–present |
|---|
| } |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
| FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Total | 0/15 | 36 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 24 | 64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 to 1962 | Part of UK United Kingdom | Part of UK United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1966 and 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 and 1998 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saudi Arabia 2034 |
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 | Total | 0/35 | 91 | 14 | 24 | 53 | 57 | 169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan 1957 | Part of | Part of | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ivory Coast 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equatorial Guinea Gabon 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ivory Coast 2023 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Morocco 2025 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2029 |
COSAFA Cup
| Year | COSAFA Cup record | Round | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Total | Runners-up | 22/22 | 58 | 16 | 16 | 26 | 56 | 80 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Preliminary round | 7th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2008 | Preliminary round | 12th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ZIM 2009 | Group stage | 10th | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| ZAM 2013 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2015 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| NAM 2016 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2017 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2018 | Third place | 3rd | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2019 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2021 | Group stage | 8th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2022 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| RSA 2023 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
Head-to-head record
As of 18 November 2025 after match against Malawi
| Opponent | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | ||||||||||||||
| W | ||||||||||||||
| D | ||||||||||||||
| L | ||||||||||||||
| GF | ||||||||||||||
| GA | ||||||||||||||
| GD | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 336 | 64 | 100 | 172 | 262 | 552 | −290 | |||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | −8 | ||||||||
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 27 | −20 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | –4 | ||||||||
| 31 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 23 | 39 | −16 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | –1 | ||||||||
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | –3 | ||||||||
| 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 17 | −13 | ||||||||
| 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 11 | –1 | ||||||||
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 12 | −9 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | −5 | ||||||||
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 23 | −16 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 | ||||||||
| 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 10 | −4 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | ||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | ||||||||
| 25 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 47 | −30 | ||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | −5 | ||||||||
| 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 23 | +4 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | −8 | ||||||||
| 24 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 33 | −23 | ||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | ||||||||
| 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 18 | –4 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 13 | −9 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | ||||||||
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 17 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 31 | −21 | ||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||||||||
| 43 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 42 | 51 | −9 | ||||||||
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | ||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | ||||||||
| 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 8 | −8 | ||||||||
| 18 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 43 | −33 | ||||||||
| 26 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 26 | 54 | −28 |
Honours
Regional
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–)
Notes
References
References
- (29 September 2025). "FIFA Disciplinary Committee sanctions South African Football Association". [[FIFA]].
- "South Africa-Lesotho". FIFA.
- "Rwanda-Lesotho". FIFA.
- "Lesotho".
- "World Football Elo Ratings: Lesotho". Elo Ratings.
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