:Lesotho national football team

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.

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{Football box collapsible

| date = 21 March

| round = Friendly

| time =

| team1 = {{fb-rt|ETH}}

| score = 1–2

| team2 = {{fb|LES}}

| goals1 =

• Yohannes {{goal|48}}

| goals2 =

• Motebang {{goal|34}}
• Moerane {{goal|43}}

| stadium = Addis Ababa Stadium

| location = Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

| attendance =

| referee =

| report =

| result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

| date = 24 March

| round = Friendly

| time =

| team1 = {{fb-rt|ETH}}

| score = 2–1

| team2 = {{fb|LES}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Addis Ababa Stadium

| location = Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

| attendance =

| referee =

| report =

| result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = Friendly

|date = 1 June

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|NAM}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|date = 7 June

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ZIM}}

|score = 0–2

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• Rasethuntša {{goal|21}}
• Thabantso {{goal|31}}

|stadium = Orlando Stadium

|location = Johannesburg, South Africa

|attendance =

|referee = Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018176

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|date = 11 June

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 0–1

|team2 = {{fb|RWA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• Kwizera {{goal|67}}

|stadium = Moses Mabhida Stadium

|location = Durban, South Africa

|attendance = 2,000

|referee = Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018174

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2024 COSAFA Cup

|date = 28 June

|time = 15:00

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|SEY}}

|goals1 =

• Thabantso {{goal|19}}

|goals2 =

• Hoareau {{goal|69}}

|stadium = Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

|location = Gqeberha, South Africa

|attendance =

|referee =

|report = https://cosafa.com/draws-all-round-in-group-c-at-the-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup/

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2024 COSAFA Cup

|date = 1 July

|time = 18:00

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NAM}}

|score = 2–1

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

• Kamberipa {{goal|38}}
• Muzeu {{goal|69}}

|goals2 =

• Mokhachane {{goal|54}}

|stadium = Isaac Wolfson Stadium

|location = Gqeberha, South Africa

|attendance =

|referee =

|report = https://cosafa.com/angola-namibia-win-at-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-2024/

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2024 COSAFA Cup

|date = 3 July

|time = 15:00

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 1–3

|team2 = {{fb|ANG}}

|goals1 =

• Fothoane {{goal|26}}

|goals2 =

• Depú {{goal|42|pen.}}
• Vidinho {{goal|63}}
• Miro {{goal|90+5|pen.}}

|stadium = Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

|location = Gqeberha, South Africa

|attendance =

|referee =

|report = https://cosafa.com/semifinal-line-up-complete-at-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-2024/

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round = 2025 AFCON qualification

|date = 5 September

|time = {{UTZ|16:00|1}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|CAF}}

|score = 3–1

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

• Mafouta {{goal|1||24}}
• Koyalipou {{goal|62}}

|goals2 =

• Sera {{goal|56}}

|stadium = Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium

|location = El Jadida, Morocco

|attendance =

|referee = Youcef Gamouh (Algeria)

|report = https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=601&season=2024&match=2459859

|result = L

}}

{{Footballbox collapsible

|round = 2025 AFCON qualification

|date = 9 September

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|1}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=601&season=2024&match=2459861

|team2 = {{fb|MAR}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• Brahim {{goal|90+3}}

|stadium = Adrar Stadium

|location = Agadir, Morocco

|attendance =

|referee = Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast)

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round=2024 African Nations Championship qualification

|date = 26 October

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 1–0

|team2 = {{fb|NAM}}

|goals1 =

• Kalake {{Goal|22}}

|goals2 =

|report = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/26/africa/african-nations-championship-qualification/lesotho/namibia/4545276/

| stadium = Free State Stadium

| location = Bloemfontein (South Africa)

| referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|round=2024 African Nations Championship qualification

|date = 3 November

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NAM}}

|score = 1–0

|penaltyscore = 3–4

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 = Doeseb {{Goal|61}}

|goals2 =

|penalties1 =

• Stephanus {{pengoal}}
• Katua {{pengoal}}
• Eiseb {{penmiss}}
• Amutenya {{pengoal}}
• Hambira {{penmiss}}

|penalties2 =

• {{pengoal}} Matšoele
• {{pengoal}} Kalake
• {{pengoal}} Kamela
• {{pengoal}} Toloane
• {{penmiss}} Fothoane

| stadium = Free State Stadium

| location = Bloemfontein, South Africa

| attendance =

| referee = Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)

|report =

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| date = 21 March

| time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}}

| team2 = {{fb|LES}}

| score = 2–0

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019682?date=2025-03-21

| goals1 =

• Mofokeng {{Goal|60}}
• Adams {{goal|64}}

| goals2 =

| stadium = Peter Mokaba Stadium

| location = Polokwane, South Africa

| attendance =

| result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| date = 25 March

| time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| team1 = {{fb-rt|RWA}}

| team2 = {{fb|LES}}

| score = 1–1

| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019683 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407470 Report (CAF)]

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Amahoro Stadium

| location = Kigali, Rwanda

| attendance =

| result = T

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| date = September

| time =

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

| team2 = {{fb|RSA}}

| score =

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium =

| location =

| attendance =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| date = September

| time =

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| team1 = {{fb-rt|BEN}}

| team2 = {{fb|LES}}

| score =

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium =

| location =

| attendance =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| date = October

| time =

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

| team2 = {{fb|NGA}}

| score =

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium =

| location =

| attendance =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| date = October

| time =

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

| team2 = {{fb|ZIM}}

| score =

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium =

| location =

| attendance =

| result =

}}

File:Pak Coaching Staff.jpg, here in the middle of the Pakistan national football team staff, became the manager of Lesotho in 2007]]

:Caretaker manager are listed in italics.

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

• {{flagicon|RSA|1928}} April Phumo (1979–1995)
• {{flagicon|LES|1987}} Lefa Ramakau (2000–??)
• {{flagicon|LES|1987}} Monaheng Monyane (2003–2004)
• {{flagicon|GER}} Antoine Hey (2004–2006)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Motheo Mohapi (2006–2007)
• {{flagicon|SRB|2004}} Zaviša Milosavljević (2007–2009)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Leslie Notši (2009)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Leslie Notši (2011–2013)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Adam Siddorn (2013)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Seephephe Matete (2014–2015)
• {{flagicon|RSA}} Moses Maliehe (2015–2019)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Mpitsa Marai (2019)
• {{flagicon|RSA}} Thabo Senong (2019–2021)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Leslie Notši (2021–2022)
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Veselin Jelušić (2022–2023)
• {{flagicon|LES}} Leslie Notši (2023–present)

{{div col end}}

The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C matches against {{fb|RSA}} and {{fb|RWA}} on 21 and 25 March 2025.{{cite web |title=South Africa-Lesotho |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019682 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=27 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Rwanda-Lesotho |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019683 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=27 March 2025}}

Caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against {{fb|RWA}}.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Sekhoane Moerane|age={{bda|1997|9|18|df=y}}|caps=48|goals=1|club=Orbit College|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Tankiso Chaba|age={{bda|1995|12|27|df=y}}|caps=7|goals=0|club=Lesotho Correctional Services|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Nthebe Majoro|age={{birth date and age|1998|07|21|df=yes}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Police Service|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Rethabile Rasethuntsa|age={{bda|1994|11|22|df=y}}|caps=45|goals=1|club=Linare|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Motlomelo Mkhwanazi|age={{bda|1994|11|5|df=y}}|caps=40|goals=1|club=Kruger United|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Thabang Malane|age={{bda|1997|6|10|df=y}}|caps=40|goals=0|club=African All Stars|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Rethabile Mokokoane|age={{bda|1996|4|6|df=y}}|caps=22|goals=1|club=Matlama|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Thabo Makhele|age={{bda|1994|12|17|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=Chippa United|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Lehlohonolo Matsau|age={{bda|1997|3|6|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=Lesotho Defence Force|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Thato Sefoli|age={{bda|1995|5|22|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=Upington City|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Fusi Matlabe|age={{bda|2000|5|23|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Mpheni Home Defenders|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Tsepo Toloane|age={{bda|1997|7|15|df=y}}|caps=57|goals=0|club=Lesotho Defence Force|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Lisema Lebokollane|age={{bda|1993|2|25|df=y}}|caps=54|goals=0|club=Matlama|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Lehlohonolo Fothoane|age={{Bda|1997|2|23|df=y}}|caps=42|goals=3|club=Township Rollers|clubnat=BOT}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Tshwarelo Bereng|age={{bda|1990|10|30|df=y}}|caps=42|goals=2|club=Orbit College|clubnat=RSA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Thabo Matšoele|age={{bda|1993|5|23|df=y}}|caps=20|goals=0|club=Linare|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Mokoteli Mohapi|age={{birth date and age|1998|01|24|df=yes}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Lioli|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Hlompho Kalake|age={{bda|1994|9|2|df=y}}|caps=60|goals=9|club=Bantu|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Neo Mokhachane|age={{Bda|1996|9|22|df=y}}|caps=26|goals=4|club=Jwaneng Galaxy|clubnat=BOT}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Katleho Makateng|age={{bda|1998|9|20|df=y}}|caps=27|goals=3|club=Lesotho Defence Force|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Lemohang Lintša|age={{bda|1992|4|3|df=y}}|caps=7|goals=0|club=Limkokwing University|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Mohlomi Makhetha|age={{bda|2000|9|21|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=Lesotho Correctional Services|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Keketso Snyder|age={{birth date and age|1990|10|16|df=yes}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Lesotho Correctional Services|clubnat=LES}}

{{nat fs end}}

The following players have also been called up to the Lesotho squad within the last twelve months.

{{nat fs r start}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Seahlolo Mosoeu|age={{bda|2003|5|3|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Lesotho Correctional Services|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|ETH}}; 24 March 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Monaheng Ramalefane|age={{bda|1998|12|22|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=Matlama|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|RSA}}; 11 January 2024}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Motete John Mohai|age={{bda|1998|5|1|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=Matlama|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|RWA}}; 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Kopano Tšeka|age={{bda|1991|11|8|df=y}}|caps=50|goals=1|club=Lioli|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|NAM}}; 1 June 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Bokang Sello|age={{bda|1994|8|8|df=y}}|caps=32|goals=0|club=Police|clubnat=BOT|latest=v. {{fb|RSA}}; 11 January 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Rethabile Senkoto|age={{bda|1998|1|16|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=0|club=Lifofane|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|RSA}}; 11 January 2024}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Tumelo Khutlang|age={{Bda|1995|10|23|df=y}}|caps=47|goals=3|club=Lioli|clubnat=LES|latest=2024 COSAFA Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Tsepang Sefali|age={{Bda|1996|7|7|df=y}}|caps=20|goals=0|club=Bantu|clubnat=LES|latest=2024 COSAFA Cup^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Thabo Lesaoana|age={{bda|1993|11|7|df=y}}|caps=18|goals=0|club=Bantu|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|RWA}}; 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Alfred Mosoeu|age={{Bda|1997|5|21|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Mangaung Unite|clubnat=RSA|latest=v. {{fb|RSA}}; 11 January 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Tumelo Shai|age=Unknown|caps=1|goals=0|club=Kaizer Chiefs|clubnat=RSA|latest=v. {{fb|RSA}}; 11 January 2024}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Jane Thabantso|age={{bda|1996|1|22|df=y}}|caps=92|goals=15|club=Matlama|clubnat=LES|latest=v. {{fb|GAB}}; 15 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Thabiso Brown|age={{bda|1995|10|3|df=y}}|caps=16|goals=1|club=Jiangxi Lushan|clubnat=CHN|latest=v. {{fb|RSA}}; 11 January 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0B0B3F}}

^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.

{{nat fs end|background=#0B0B3F}}

{{Updated|18 November 2024}}{{cite web |title=Lesotho |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/104/Lesotho.html |website=National Football Teams |access-date=2022-07-06 |archive-date=2023-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724175716/https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/104/2023/Lesotho.html |url-status=live }}

:Players in bold are still active with Lesotho.

|-

!Total

!

!0/35

!

!

!

!

!

!

!91

!14

!24

!53

!57

!169

|}

As of 25 March 2025 after match against {{fb|RWA}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eloratings.net/Lesotho.htm|title=World Football Elo Ratings: Lesotho|publisher=Elo Ratings|access-date=28 June 2017|archive-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120183048/http://www.eloratings.net/Lesotho.htm|url-status=live}}

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Positive Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Neutral Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Negative Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

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

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.cafonline.com/member-associations/les/ Lesotho] at CAF
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/LES Lesotho] at FIFA

{{Football in Lesotho}}

{{CAF teams}}

{{National sports teams of Lesotho}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lesotho National Football Team}}

Category:African national association football teams