Lesotho women's national football team

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Lesotho national football team.

Lesotho

Association	Lesotho Football Association (LeFA)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Pule Khojane
Captain	Boitumelo Rabale
FIFA code	LES
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	176 2 (15 March 2024) [1]
Highest	111 (December 2017 – March 2018)
Lowest	174 (December 2023)
First international
Mozambique 3–0 Lesotho   (Mozambique; 28 March 1998)
Biggest win
Lesotho 3–0 Eswatini   (Gqeberha, South Africa; 1 September 2022)
Biggest defeat
Lesotho 0–15 Zimbabwe   (Harare, Zimbabwe; 19 April 2002)

The Lesotho women's national football team is the national team of Lesotho and is controlled by the Lesotho Football Association. The team is popularly known as Mehalalitoe. ^[2]

History

The senior team is nicknamed the Beautiful Flowers. ^[3]

On 28 March 1998, Lesotho played Mozambique in Mozambique. The game was tied 0–0 at the half before Mozambique scored three goals to win the game 3–0. ^[4] In Maseru on 19 April 1998, Lesotho again played Mozambique. Lesotho was up 2–1 at the half and went on to win the game 4–2. ^[4] In 2002, the team played 4 games. ^[5] The country participated in the 2002 COSAFA Women's Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe. They were in Group A. They lost on 19 April to Zimbabwe 0–15, lost to Malawi 0–3 on 21 April, and lost to Zambia 1–3 on 23 April. ^{[4] [6]} In 2003, the team played 1 game. ^[5] In 2004, the team played 1 game. ^[5] In 2005, the team played 2 games. ^[5] In 2005, Zambia was supposed to host a regional COSAFA women's football tournament, with ten teams agreeing to send teams including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. ^[7]

In 2006, the team had 3 training sessions a week and played 2 games. ^[5] The country participated in the 2006 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations women's tournament in Lusaka. They were in Group B. On 22 August, they lost to South Africa 0–9. On 23 August, the team lost to Malawi 0–3. ^{[4] [6]} The national team's poor performance was contributed to by the fact that they only held a training camp for the competition a week before it started. ^[8] In 2006, the national team coach was Lethola Masimong. Masimong wanted a national league created in the country in order to help develop the game and improve the national team's performance. His comments came after the team was eliminated from the 2006 Confederation of Southern African Football Associations tournament. ^[8]

In 2010, the country did not have a team competing in the African Women's Championships. ^[9] The country did not have a team competing at the 2011 All Africa Games. ^[10] In July 2011, the team played several games in Harare. On 2 July 2011, the Lesotho played Zimbabwe, losing 0–4. On 2 July, they played Mozambique. At half time, they were tied 2–2 but went on to win the game 3–2. On 5 July, they lost to Malawi 2–5. ^{[4] [11]} The games were part of the 2011 COSAFA Women's Championship. ^[11] On 17 August 2011, in a game in Maseru, they lost 0–4 to Mozambique. ^[4]

In 2006, Lesotho women's national football team was ranked 125. ^[12] In 2007, they were ranked 144. ^[12] In 2008, they were ranked 117. ^[12] In 2009, they were ranked 92. ^[12] In 2010, they were ranked 128. ^[12] In 2011, they were ranked 136. ^[12] In March 2012, they were ranked 135th best in the world. ^[12] In June 2012, the team was ranked the 135th best in the world. ^[13]

Background and development

Early development of the women's game at the time colonial powers brought football to the continent was limited as colonial powers in the region tended to take make concepts of patriarchy and women's participation in sport with them to local cultures that had similar concepts already embedded in them. ^[14] The lack of later development of the national team on a wider international level symptomatic of all African teams is a result of several factors, including limited access to education, poverty amongst women in the wider society, and fundamental inequality present in the society that occasionally allows for female specific human rights abuses. ^[15] When quality female football players are developed, they tend to leave for greater opportunities abroad. ^[16] Continent wide, funding is also an issue, with most development money coming from FIFA, not the national football association. ^[16] Future, success for women's football in Africa is dependent on improved facilities and access by women to these facilities. Attempting to commercialise the game and make it commercially viable is not the solution, as demonstrated by the current existence of many youth and women's football camps held throughout the continent. ^[14] Nada Grkinic was FIFA's international development manager. In 2007, one of her goals was to work on improving women's football in Africa and included work specifically pertaining to Lesotho. ^[17]

The national federation was created in 1932. ^[5] They joined FIFA in 1964. Their kit includes blue, white and green shirts, white shorts, and blue and white socks. ^{[5] [18]}

Football is the third most popular sport in the country, behind netball and athletics. ^[5] Inside Lesotho, football is used to develop women's self-esteem. ^[19] In 2006, there were 5,200 registered female football players, of which 5,000 were junior players and 200 were senior players. ^[5] The number of female players has been increasing. In 2000, there were 210 registered players. In 2001, there were 350 registered players. In 2002, there were 480 registered players. In 2003, there were 750 registered players. In 2004, there were 2,180 registered players. In 2005, there were 4,600 registered players. In 2006, there were 5,200 registered players. ^[5] In 2006, there were 61 total football clubs in the country, with 54 being mixed gendered teams and 7 being all women teams. ^[5] Rights to broadcast the 2011 Women's World Cup in the country were bought by the African Union of Broadcasting. ^[20]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Lesotho women's national football team results

See also: 2024 in association football, 2024 in sports, and FIFA International Match Calendar

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  Lose  Fixture

1998

Date	Location	Home team	Score	Away team	Source
28/03/1998	Mozambique	Mozambique	3:0 (0:0)	Lesotho	[4]
12/04/1998	Maseru	Lesotho	4:2 (2:1)	Mozambique	[4]

2002

Date	Location	Home team	Score	Away team	Source
19/04/2002	Harare	Zimbabwe	15:0	Lesotho	[4]
21/04/2002	Harare	Lesotho	0:3	Malawi	[4]
23/04/2002	Harare	Lesotho	1:3	Zambia	[4]

2006

Date	Location	Home team	Score	Away team	Source
22/08/2006	Lusaka	Lesotho	0:9 (0:5)	South Africa	[4]
23/08/2006	Lusaka	Lesotho	0:3 (0:1)	Malawi	[4]

2011

Date	Location	Home team	Score	Away team	Source
2/07/2011	Harare	Zimbabwe	4:0	Lesotho	[4]
3/07/2011	Harare	Lesotho	3:2 (2:2)	Mozambique	[4]
5/07/2011	Harare	Malawi	5:2	Lesotho	[4]
17/08/2011	Maseru	Lesotho	0:4	Mozambique	[4]

2022

Lesotho   v   Eswatini

1 September 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship Group B	Lesotho	3–0	Eswatini	Gqeberha
12:00	Rabale 7', 33', 88'			Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Zambia   v   Lesotho

4 September 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship Group B	Zambia	7–0	Lesotho	Port Elizabeth
15:30	Banda 11', 30', 48', 52', 56' Katongo 45' Mapepa 66'			Stadium: Madibaz Stadium

Lesotho   v   Namibia

6 September 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship Group B	Lesotho	0–2	Namibia	Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth
12:00			Hikuam 17' Coleman 53'

2023

Botswana   v   Lesotho

12 August Friendly	Botswana	1–1	Lesotho	Gaborone, Botswana
				Stadium: Botswana National Stadium

Botswana B   v   Lesotho B

12 August Friendly	Botswana B	4–1	Lesotho B	Gaborone, Botswana
				Stadium: Botswana National Stadium

Zimbabwe   v   Lesotho

6 October 2023 (2023-10-06) 2023 COSAFA WC GS	Zimbabwe	1–0	Lesotho	Pretoria, South Africa
12:00  UTC+2	Mupeti 58'	Report		Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium Referee: Seonyatseng Tshephe (Botswana)

Botswana   v   Lesotho

9 October 2023 (2023-10-09) 2023 COSAFA WC GS	Botswana	3–0	Lesotho	Johannesburg, South Africa
12:00  UTC+2	Gaofetoge 6' Johannes 35' Mochawe 73'	Report		Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Akhona Makalima (South Africa)

Lesotho   v   Namibia

11 October 2023 (2023-10-11) 2023 COSAFA WC GS	Lesotho	0–2	Namibia	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:30  UTC+2		Report	Naris 35' Kooper 74'	Stadium: UJ Stadium Referee: Maria Rivet (Mauritius)

2024

Botswana   v   Lesotho

6 April 2024 (2024-04-06) Friendly	Botswana	2–1	Lesotho	Tlokweng, Botswana
16:00  UTC+2	Moloi 32' Dithebe 48'		Ts'oaeli 73'	Stadium: Royal Aria Stadium

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Role	Name	Ref.
Head coach	Pule Khojane	[21]

Managerial history

• Lehloenya Nkhasi(20xx–2022)
• Pule Khojane (2022-)

Players

See also: Category:Lesotho women's international footballers

Current squad

The following players were named on 20 September 2023 for the 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship tournament. ^[22]

Caps and goals accurate up to and including 30 October 2021.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1 GK	Thuto Maifo	(1995-05-25) May 25, 1995 (age 28)			LMPS Ladies
16	1 GK	Mpolokeng Mothomots'oana	(2000-10-11) October 11, 2000 (age 23)			LDF Ladies
23	1 GK	Mamakhabane Makibinyane	(2002-10-27) October 27, 2002 (age 21)			LDF Ladies
2	2 DF	Mosili Mots'oeneng	(1996-08-15) August 15, 1996 (age 27)			Royal AM
3	2 DF	Ts'oanelo Leboka	(1996-07-21) July 21, 1996 (age 27)			LDF Ladies
5	2 DF	Thato Mapepesa	(2003-01-24) January 24, 2003 (age 21)			LDF Ladies
9	2 DF	Lerato Mphou	(1999-10-30) October 30, 1999 (age 24)			LDF Ladies
13	2 DF	Limakatso Matibi	(2000-01-16) January 16, 2000 (age 24)			LMPS Ladies
19	2 DF	Bokang Ntsane	(2002-07-20) July 20, 2002 (age 21)			LDF Ladies
20	2 DF	Ntsatsi Khakanyo	(1992-07-26) July 26, 1992 (age 31)			LDF Ladies
21	2 DF	Mathebe Ramphielo	(1996-06-22) June 22, 1996 (age 27)			LMPS Ladies
4	3 MF	Nthabeleng Makhabane	(2003-05-17) May 17, 2003 (age 20)			LDF Ladies
6	3 MF	Mosele Pita	(1998-05-25) May 25, 1998 (age 25)			LDF Ladies
7	3 MF	Molemo Mokhothu	(1998-10-08) October 8, 1998 (age 25)			Kick 4 Life
10	3 MF	Boitumelo Rabale	(1996-08-05) August 5, 1996 (age 27)			Mamelodi Sundowns
14	3 MF	Marsu'ukulu Motloheloa	(2001-12-01) December 1, 2001 (age 22)			Kick 4 Life
17	3 MF	Nthabeleng Potsane	(1998-10-29) October 29, 1998 (age 25)			LDF Ladies
18	3 MF	Maseriti Mohlolo	(1997-04-22) April 22, 1997 (age 26)			LDF Ladies
22	3 MF	Bohlokoa Mothala	(1999-09-10) September 10, 1999 (age 24)			Stoko
8	4 FW	Lits'eoane Maloro				Royal AM
11	4 FW	Nteboheleng Mohoshela	(2000-12-25) December 25, 2000 (age 23)			Kick 4 Life
12	4 FW	Makhotso Moalosi	(2003-07-04) July 4, 2003 (age 20)			Berea Ladies
15	4 FW	Phuzile Molefe	(1997-01-18) January 18, 1997 (age 27)			LDF Ladies

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the Lesotho in the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up

Previous squads

COSAFA Women's Championship

• 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
• 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship squad

Individual records

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 1 January 2022.

Most capped players # Player Year(s) Caps

Top goalscorers # Player Year(s) Goals Caps

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year	Result	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
1991	Did not exist
1995
1999
2003
2007	Did not enter
2011
2015	Did not qualify
2019	Did not enter
2023
Total	0/9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D*	L	GS	GA	GD
1996	Did not exist
2000
2004
2008	Did not Qualify
2012	Did not enter
2016
2020
Total	0/7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year	Result	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA
1991 to 2004	Did not exist
2006 to 2012	Did not enter
2014	Did not Qualify
2016	Did not enter
2018
2020	Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
2022	Did not enter
2024	Did not enter
Total	0/12	-	-	-	-	-	-

African Games

African Games record
Year	Result	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA	GD
2003	Did Not exist
2007	Did Not enter
2011
2015
2019
2023	To be determined
Total	0/4	0	0	0	0	0	0

Regional

COSAFA Women's Championship

COSAFA Women's Championship record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GS	GA	GD
2002	Group stage
2006	Group stage
2008	Did not enter
2011	Group stage	3	1	0	2	5	11	−6
2017	Group stage	3	1	0	2	2	7	−5
2018	Group stage	3	0	0	3	1	10	−9
2019	Did not enter
2020	Group stage	2	0	0	2	0	17	−17
2021	Did not enter
2023	Group stage	3	0	0	3	0	6	-6
Total	Group stage	14	2	0	12	8	51	−43

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

See also

• Africa portal
• Sports portal
• Association football portal
• Women's association football portal

• Sport in Lesotho
  • Football in Lesotho
    • Women's football in Lesotho
• Lesotho women's national under-17 team
• Lesotho women's national under-20 team
• Lesotho men's national football team

References

1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
2. "Lesotho Football Association". Lesotho Football Association. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
3. de Kretser, Chris; Firkin, Katherine (January 13, 2010). "Pharaohs lead African assault". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia. p. 69. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
4. "Lesotho: Fixtures and Results". Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
5. FIFA (2006). "Women's Football Today" (PDF): 114. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
6. "COSAFA Women Tournaments". Rsssf.com. 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
7. Mukoka, Augustine (August 16, 2005). "The Post (Zambia) – AAGM: Zambia to Host Cosafa Women's Soccer Tourney". The Post. Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
8. Nambule, Wendy (August 24, 2006). "Lesotho Coach Calls for Women Soccer League". The Post. Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
9. "Fixtures – African Women Championship 2010 – CAF". Cafonline.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
10. "Groups & standings – All Africa Games women 2011 – CAF". Cafonline.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
11. "Cosafa Competitions". Cosafa.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
12. "Lesotho: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
13. "The FIFA Women's World Ranking". FIFA.com. 2009-09-25. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
14. Peter Alegi (2 March 2010). African Soccerscapes: How a Continent Changed the World's Game. Ohio University Press. ISBN   978-0-89680-278-0 . Retrieved 22 April 2012.
15. Jean Williams (15 December 2007). A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football. Berg. p. 186. ISBN   978-1-84520-674-1 . Retrieved 13 April 2012.
16. Gabriel Kuhn (24 February 2011). Soccer Vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics. PM Press. p. 34. ISBN   978-1-60486-053-5 . Retrieved 13 April 2012.
17. Northcroft, Jonathan (June 3, 2007). "Big game hunters – Football". The Sunday Times. London, England. p. 12. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
18. Pickering, David (1994). The Cassell soccer companion : history, facts, anecdotes. London: Cassell. p. 181. ISBN   0304342319. OCLC   59851970.
19. Allen, Karen (2011-03-08). "BBC News – Has Lesotho bridged the gender gap?". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
20. "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011TM Media Rights Licensees" (PDF). FIFA. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
21. "Khojane embracing Mehalalitoe challenge". 2 August 2022.
22. "Mehalalitoe Squad for COSAFA Women's Championship 2023". Lesotho Football Association. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.

External links

• Official Lesotho Football Association website (in English)