As the curtains comes down to an eventful 2023, the Lesotho Football Association media team looks back at the stories and highlights from the year that was.
22 Coaches attain CAF A Licenses Coaching badges
The Lesotho Football Association started the year on a high note as 22 coaches attained CAF A License Coaching badges, which was the first hosted by the Association since 2017, when CAF summoned a coaching convention to review and standardize coaching content across the continent.
The course was conducted by local instructors with LeFA among the first three Southern African countries to satisfy the pre-requisites of the CAF Convention of each MA writing its own manuals and delivering courses by its own personnel.
FIFA Talent Development Scheme
The Lesotho Football Association launched the groundbreaking FIFA Talent Development Scheme as the latest in range of the football governing body projects targeting a boost in football’s global competitiveness.
TDS was rolled-out as a pilot project utilizing the three Lesotho Football Association technical centres in Maputsoe, Mohale’s Hoek and Maseru. Lesotho has embraced the programme and has made headway and inroads as far as kickstarting the programme having selected a para-national team for the U-15 of thirty-three players.
Lesotho elite league hit global screens
The Lesotho Football Association announced that for the very first time in the history of football in the Kingdom, the elite leagues will be broadcasted globally through a partnership with FIFA to livestream matches on its new digital platform, FIFA+.
LeFA revives bilateral with the FA
In February 2023, the LeFA president Advocate Salemane Phafane and Secretary General Mokhosi Mohapi, travelled to the United Kingdom in pursuit of resuscitating the bilateral with the FA. The trip was a success and the deliveries of the bilateral have commenced with the fencing of several of LeFA properties while others will commence in the new year.
UEFA Assist for Women
As women football continues to make huge strides in Lesotho, the Lesotho Football Association partnered with UEFA to hold the two-day administration courses which focuses on the promotion of women in football and the women’s game itself with participants coming from the LeFA structures.
Likuena ends long wait for COSAFA Cup
The Lesotho Senior National team, Likuena were the surprise package of this year’s edition of the COSAFA Cup, where they went all the way to the final after winning their Group that consisted of Angola, Mozambique, and Mauritius. Likuena’s fortunes changed for the better after LeFA replaced Veselin Jelusic with Leslie Notši as the head coach and assisted by Bob Mafoso. Lesotho bagged second place after a narrow 1-o loss to Zambia in the final
Moerane wins big at COSAFA
Likuena goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the COSAFA Cup after playing a key role in his country reaching the final for the first time since 2000. He saved three penalties in the 3-0 penalty shoot-out victory over Malawi to book a place in the final, where Likuena suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Zambia.
Moerane, Thabang Malane and Neo Mokhachane were all named in the Tournament’s Best XI with Leslie Notsi named as the Coach of the Tournament.
LeFA School of Excellence Products earn first caps at COSAFA Cup
Two of Lesotho Football Association’s School of Excellence products in Mosoeu Seahlolo and Hlomelang Lebina finally made their debuts for Likuena at the COSAFA Cup in the last match of Group B against Angola. The duo was scouted aged 15 and came through the ranks playing for the junior teams until they finally made the grade with the senior team.
Women Football Campaign
The Lesotho Football Association successfully kickstarted the Women Football Campaign in Maseru, which is a programme aimed at encouraging participation in Women’s football at grassroots level, whilst promoting the game and activities that the Association has in place.
Opening of the LeFA High Performance Gym
In September, the Lesotho Football Association conducted a soft launch of its high-performance gymnasium at its headquarters in Maseru. They gymnasium provides professional training environment for the Lesotho national teams.
Big appointments for LeFA match officials
Renowned Lesotho Football Association assistant referee referee Souru Phatšoane has been named among match officials that will officiate at the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, which will be played in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11. This will be Phatšoane’s third Africa Cup of Nations Cup in a row having officiated the 2019 and 2021 editions of the tournament.
Lesotho elite female central referee Nteboheleng Setoko was in September assigned by COSAFA to officiate the CAF Women’s Champions League/COSAFA Qualifiers final as Botswana’s Double Action wen head-to-head with eventually winners Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
Likuena give Super Eagles a scare in Uyo
Likuena produced one of their best performances of 2023 against Nigeria as the two countries opened their account of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a one-all draw. Motlomelo Mkwanazi put Lesotho ahead in the 55th minute, but Semi Ajayi was able to save Nigeria blushes with the equalizer in the 67th minute.
Rabale Crowned CAF Women’s Champions League Player of the Season
Mehalalitoe captain Boitumelo “Queen” Rabale was the biggest achiever in 2023 playing a starring role as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies bagged their second treble in three years.
The Lesotho star was unstoppable in the domestic and international competitions and was rewarded with individuals’ accolades, where she was named the CAF Women’s Champions League Player of the Tournament after her exploits in Ivory Coast and followed it up with the Hollywoodbets Player of the Season for the second for the second year running.