Mafoso named new Lesotho coach ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Highly-rated Bob Mafoso has been appointed as Lesotho national team head coach ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The CAF A-Licence holder was unveiled on Monday to replace his former boss Leslie Notsi, whose contract was not renewed beyond last December.

 

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The new coach has signed a two-year contract and takes over the Likuena mantle after successful spells with African Stars FC in Namibia.

The country’s 2020 Coach of the Year is held in high esteem in the football circles of the Southern African nation. It is all thanks to his exploits with teams such as Bantu FC, who he guided to the People’s Cup and Lesotho Premier League title, both in the 2022/23 campaign.

It was a repeat of the feat achieved in his first spell with Bantu FC in the 2020 season.  He previously also won Alliance Cup with Lioli FC.

Mafoso’s first assignment with Lesotho

His first task comes in March when Lesotho kickstart the AFCON qualifying preliminary round assignments. Likuena were drawn against Seychelles in the two-legged preliminary round, which will take place from 25 to 31 March.

The six winners from the preliminary round will qualify for the group stage, joining 42 seeded national teams which are vying for a place at the AFCON finals. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the continental football showpiece.