Lesotho to play Cup of Nations qualifiers in Morocco

Lesotho will open their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with matches in Morocco next month, the country’s football association have announced.

The Basotho start their Group B campaign away against the Central African Republic in El Jadida on September 5 and have elected to host their home game against Morocco in Agadir four days later.

Lesotho also have Gabon in their four-team group with the top two finishers qualifying for the finals in December 2025.

The Lesotho Football Association have previously used Soweto and Durban as preferred venues for their home matches in both Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification as they have no stadium in the kingdom that is suitable for use in international competition.

Coach Lesley Notsi has included eight South African-based players in his squad plus others who are at clubs in Botswana, China and Namibia.

Tlotliso Phatsisi has been retained in the squad despite being without a club after being released by Sekhukhune United while Matlama midfielder Katiso Thamae and Lesotho Correctional Services defender Letlotlo Molomo are new faces in the squad.

LESOTHO SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Tankiso Chaba (Lesotho Correctional Services), Sekhoane Moerane (Orbit College, South Africa), Ntsane Molise (Linare), Motlatsi Sebapala (Bantu)

Defenders: Katleho Koeana (Lesotho Mounted Police Services), Thabo Makhele (Chippa United, South Africa), Thabang Malane (African Stars, Namibia), Fusi Matlabe (Mpheni Defenders, South Africa), Thabo Matšoele (Linare), Motete Mohai, Rethabile Mokokoane (both Matlama) Mokhele Molise (Lesotho Defence Force), Letlotlo Molomo (Lesotho Correctional Services), Rethabile Rasethuntša (Linare), Thato Sefuli (Upington City, South Africa)

Midfielders: Lehlohonolo Fothoane (Bantu), Lisema Lebokollane (Matlama), Teboho Letsema (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Paseka Maile (Kick4Life), Lehlohonolo Matsau (Lesotho Defence Force), Tšepo Mokhanya (Linare), Neo Mokhachane (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Mosoeu Mosoeu (Mangaung United, South Africa), Tlotliso Phatsisi (unattached), Tšepang Sefali (Linare), Katiso Thamae (Matlama), Tšepo Toloane (Lesotho Defence Force)

Forwards: Thabiso Brown (Jiangxi Lushan, China), Tšeliso Botsane (Bantu), Leruo Lethunya (Lesotho Defence Force), Katleho Makateng (Lesotho Defence Force), Motebang Sera (Royal AM, South Africa), Jane Thabantšo (Matlama).