Lesotho national football team

Lesotho
Nickname(s)	Likuena (Crocodiles)
Association	Lesotho Football Association (LeFA)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Veselin Jelusic
Captain	Basia Makepe
Most caps	Jane Thabantso (70)
Top scorer	Jane Thabantso (11)
Home stadium	Setsoto Stadium
FIFA code	LES
FIFA ranking
Current	150 3 (6 April 2023)[1]
Highest	105 (August 2014)
Lowest	185 (August 2011)
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

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 is a member of 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").

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.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2022

28 May Friendly	Ethiopia	1–1	Lesotho	Adama, Ethiopia
	Bogale 61'	Report	Makha 20'	Stadium: Adama Stadium

30 May Friendly	Ethiopia	1–1	Lesotho	Adama, Ethiopia
	Hotessa 37'	Report	Thabantso 71'	Stadium: Adama Stadium

3 June 2023 AFCON qualification	Comoros	2–0	Lesotho	Moroni, Comoros
16:00	M'Changama 59' Youssouf 81'	Report		Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar)

9 June 2023 AFCON qualification	Lesotho	0–0	Ivory Coast	Johannesburg, South Africa
19:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius)

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

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

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

2023

25 February Friendly	Malawi	1–1	Lesotho	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2	Mhone 20' Chaziya 63'	Report	Thabantso 74'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Newtone Nyirenda (Malawi)

23 March 2023 AFCON qualification	Zambia	3–1	Lesotho	Ndola, Zambia
17:00 UTC+2	F. Sakala 37' L. Banda 53', 57'	Report	Bereng 33'	Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Messie Nkounkou (Congo)

26 March 2023 AFCON qualification	Lesotho	0–2	Zambia	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	P. Daka 14', 69'	Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Chelanget Sabila (Uganda)

June 2023 AFCON qualification	Lesotho	v	Comoros
--:-- UTC+2		Report

September 2023 AFCON qualification	Ivory Coast	v	Lesotho
--:-- UTC±0		Report

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 2023 AFCON qualification matches against Zambia on 23 and 26 March 2023.[2]

Caps and goals correct as of 26 March 2023, after the match against Zambia.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Sekhoane Moerane	(1997-09-18) 18 September 1997	22	0	Lesotho Mounted Police Service
	1GK	Tankiso Chaba	(1995-12-27) 27 December 1995	2	0	Liphakoe
	1GK	Mosoeu Seahlolo	(2003-05-03) 3 May 2003	0	0	Lesotho Correctional Services

	2DF	Basia Makepe	(1991-03-04) 4 March 1991	62	1	Lesotho Mounted Police Service
	2DF	Kopano Tseka	(1991-11-08) 8 November 1991	42	1	Lesotho Correctional Services
	2DF	Rethabile Rasethuntsa	(1994-11-22) 22 November 1994	19	0	Linare
	2DF	Rethabile Mokokoane	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996	9	0	Matlama
	2DF	Tsiame Ramabele	(1994-12-25) 25 December 1994	6	0	Lesotho Defence Force
	2DF	Rethabile Senkoto	(1998-01-16) 16 January 1998	5	0	Lifofane
	2DF	Ngaka Lenka	(1992-06-17) 17 June 1992	4	0	Lesotho Correctional Services
	2DF	Mohlomi Makhetha	(2000-09-21) 21 September 2000	0	0	Lesotho Correctional Services

	3MF	Tsepo Toloane	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997	35	0	Lesotho Defence Force
	3MF	Lisema Lebokollane	(1993-02-25) 25 February 1993	26	0	Matlama
	3MF	Lehlohonolo Fothoane	(1997-02-23) 23 February 1997	23	1	Bantu
	3MF	Tshwarelo Bereng	(1990-10-30) 30 October 1990	22	2	Mbabane Highlanders
	3MF	Thabang Malane	(1997-06-10) 10 June 1997	21	0	Liphakoe
	3MF	Thabo Mafatle	(1996-09-18) 18 September 1996	9	0	Lijabatho
	3MF	Neo Mokhachane	(1996-09-22) 22 September 1996	6	0	Bantu
	3MF	Tshepang Sefali	(1996-07-07) 7 July 1996	3	0	Bantu

	4FW	Jane Thabantso	(1996-01-22) 22 January 1996	70	11	Matlama
	4FW	Sera Motebang	(1995-05-01) 1 May 1995	49	10	Golden Arrows
	4FW	Katleho Makateng	(1998-09-20) 20 September 1998	9	3	Richards Bay
	4FW	Retselisitsoe Mopeli	(1998-11-04) 4 November 1998	6	0	Lijabatho
	4FW	Lemohang Lintsa	(1992-04-03) 3 April 1992	3	0	Limkokwing University

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	Monaheng Ramalefane	(1998-12-22) 22 December 1998	3	0	Matlama	v. Ivory Coast, 9 June 2022

DF	Motlomelo Mkhwanazi	(1994-11-05) 5 November 1994	27	0	Bantu	v. Ivory Coast, 9 June 2022

MF	Tumelo Makha	(1999-10-22) 22 October 1999	10	2	Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila	v. Ivory Coast, 9 June 2022

FW	Masoabi Nkoto	(1992-01-14) 14 January 1992	34	2	Jawalakhel	v. Ivory Coast, 9 June 2022
FW	Lesia Thetsane	(1997-05-24) 24 May 1997	9	0	Ballard	v. Ivory Coast, 9 June 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

As of 26 March 2023[3]

Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.

Most appearances
Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Jane Thabantso	70	11	2015–present
2	Nkau Lerotholi	66	2	2008–present
3	Basia Makepe	62	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	Jane Thabantso	11	70	0.16	2015–present
2	Sera Motebang	10	49	0.2	2016–present
3	Refiloe Potse	9	23	0.39	1998–2009
4	Tsepo Seturumane	8	38	0.21	2013–2020
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									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									In progress
2025	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/34							77	12	21	44	51	146

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup record
Year	Result	Rank	Pld	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
2008	Preliminary round	12th	3	1	1	1	2	2
2009	Group stage	10th	2	1	1	0	3	2
2013	Fourth place	4th	6	1	3	2	10	10
2015	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	2	4
2016	Quarter-finals	7th	5	3	1	1	9	4
2017	Fourth place	4th	3	0	2	1	3	4
2018	Third place	3rd	3	2	1	0	2	0
2019	Fourth place	4th	3	0	2	1	3	4
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[4]

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
DR Congo	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
Eswatini	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

Uhlsport (2000)
Umbro (2002, 2006)
Uhlsport (2007)
Adidas (2008–2011)
Basutoland Ink (2012–2019)
Umbro (2019–)

Honours

COSAFA Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2000

References

"The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Final Squad". Facebook. Lesotho Football Association.
"Lesotho". National Football Teams.
"World Football Elo Ratings: Lesotho". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 28 June 2017.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.

[2] "Final Squad". Facebook. Lesotho Football Association.

[3] "Lesotho". National Football Teams.

[4] "World Football Elo Ratings: Lesotho". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 28 June 2017.

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