Lesotho back at CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier
Lesotho will take their place at the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier South Africa 2025, which will be staged in Stellenbosch from December 5–7.
The country debuted last year in Walvis Bay, Namibia, having missed the first two editions of the Zonal Qualifiers for the continental schools championship.
They had some success too, with the Girls’ side reaching the semifinals before being undone by a powerful South Africa team that lifted the trophy for the third year in a row.
The Boys’ team found the going tougher. They were awarded their opening game 3–0 after opponents Zambia had travel difficulties and arrived late at the tournament.
But they lost their next two, going down 4–0 to Malawi and 2–1 to hosts Namibia to finish bottom of their pool.
The Girls enjoyed more success as they too were awarded their opener against Zambia 3–0 and also beat Namibia 1–0. In between, there was a 5–0 loss to Malawi.
But their six points were enough for second place in Group A, and that set up a semifinal with South Africa, which the latter won 10–0.
Both sides will have learnt a lot from the experience and, with several players likely to compete again in Stellenbosch, they will be better equipped to tackle the tournament.
Lesotho were the 13th COSAFA nation to take part in the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifiers when they debuted last year. Only Mauritius have yet to send a team to the tournament.
Lesotho have long had a tradition of strong youth teams and have competed well in COSAFA age-group competitions over the years.
They will want to continue that in the Under-15 age group and set their players on a pathway to a career in senior international football.
LESOTHO’S PAST FINISHES
BOYS
2022: Did not enter
2023: Did not enter
2024: Group Stage
GIRLS
2022: Did not enter
2023: Did not enter
2024: Semifinals
LESOTHO’S PAST RESULTS
BOYS
2024
Zambia 0-3 Lesotho*
Malawi 4-0 Lesotho
Namibia 2-1 Lesotho
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present
GIRLS
2024
Zambia 0-3 Lesotho*
Malawi 5-0 Lesotho
Namibia 0-1 Lesotho
South Africa 10-0 Lesotho
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
