Exclusive: Ex-Lesotho coach Notsi responds: ‘I wasn’t axed’

Veteran Leslie Notsi has spoken exclusively to Pan-Africa Football to set the recore straight on the circumstances surrounding the end of his tenure as Lesotho coach.

Last week, Pan-Africa Football published a story that the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) had axed Notsi and his backroom team. Junior national team coaches also lost their jobs.

However, the seasoned coach said he was not sacked but rather his engagement with LeFA ended.

‘I just read one of your stories that I have been axed. have not been axed truly to say. During the campaign for the World Cup and AFCON, it was announced that towards the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers our tenure would also end…we knew this and I have the letter,” he explained.

Sounding cool and calm, Notsi insisted that all coaching panel members knew that they would leave their posts following leadership changes within LeFA. Lijane Nthunya was elected as the association’s new president, replacing Salemane Phafane.

Notsi made reference to the new leadership, saying change was inevitable.

“There has been a new dispensation within the association, and of course, they will always have a different way of doing things, which I do respect.
It is not about one being axed. It is something that we we knew before. The letter says the engagement with each member has come to an end,” he explained.

Is Notsi ready to jump at any coaching offer?

The immediate-past Lesotho coach said he is open to a new job opportunity as long as they are premised on the right project.

“With this coaching life, you are always open to whatever that comes. You always look at how the project looks like, everything surrounding the project and the environment in the past few years in that set up. For now there, hasn’t been anything on the table.

“If something very interesting comes through, one can always look and see, but so far nothing has come forth.”

Notsi reflected fondly on his reign despite facing challenges, including logistical headache that comes with traveling long distances to play games in North Africa.

“I can always look back and thank for the opportunity that the association gave me for them to have had faith in me.
You look at results, it wasn’t easy. The challenge after the fixture or a draw is made, is always pot one, two or three,” he added.

Notsi left after failing to meet the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2025 AFCON qualification targets, and also reaching the COSAFA Cup group-stage.

Notsi lost his job alongside assistant coaches Bafokeng Mohapi, Abraham Mongoya, and goalkeeper trainer Samuel Ketsekile.

Despite failing to qualify for the World Cup, Lesotho competed strongly and even beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in a final qualifying game.

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