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.

The Pedigree of a Champion

The new coach is held in exceptionally high esteem within Lesotho, largely due to his Midas touch in the Lesotho Premier League. Mafoso’s resume is glittering with domestic silverware:

• Bantu FC (2022/23): He famously guided “A Matlama” to a historic double, clinching both the People’s Cup and the Lesotho Premier League title.

• Bantu FC (2020): In his first spell, he achieved a similar feat, solidifying his status as the country’s 2020 Coach of the Year.

• Lioli FC: Before his dominance with Bantu, he secured the Alliance Cup, proving his ability to win with the country’s biggest clubs.

His appointment is a “homecoming” of sorts, and fans are hopeful that his winning DNA will finally translate to the international stage, where Lesotho has often struggled to maintain consistency against the continent’s heavyweights.

The Immediate Challenge: Seychelles and the 2027 AFCON

Mafoso does not have the luxury of a long honeymoon period. His first competitive assignment is just weeks away. Lesotho has been drawn against Seychelles in the AFCON 2027 preliminary round, a two-legged tie scheduled to take place between March 25 and 31, 2026.

This is a high-stakes introduction. The six winners from the preliminary round will advance to the group stage, joining 42 seeded nations. With the 2027 finals set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the expanded format offers a glimmer of hope for nations like Lesotho to make a historic debut.

Tactical Outlook: What to Expect from Likuena?

Expect a shift toward a more possession-based, high-intensity style. Mafoso is known for his meticulous preparation and his “player-first” philosophy. Under Notsi, Lesotho was often characterized by a “safety-first” defensive approach. While Mafoso values a solid backline, his success at Bantu FC was built on quick transitions and utilizing wing-play—a tactic that could suit Lesotho’s diminutive but pacey attackers.

The new technical team is expected to focus heavily on integrating younger talents from the Lesotho U-20 and U-23 setups, a transition that Mafoso has championed in his previous club roles.

1 New Era: Highly-Rated Bob Mafoso Vows to Transform Lesotho’s Football Fortune

In a move that has sparked immense optimism across the Mountain Kingdom, the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has officially appointed Bob Mafoso as the new head coach of the senior national team, Likuena.

The CAF A-Licence holder was unveiled on Monday in Maseru, stepping into the vacancy left by his former mentor, Leslie Notsi, whose contract was not renewed after it expired last December. Mafoso’s arrival marks a significant shift in technical direction as Lesotho begins an ambitious journey toward qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

For the latest updates on Southern African football, visit our COSAFA Region News Hub.

A Two-Year Mission for the “Tactical Mastermind”

Bob Mafoso, widely regarded as one of the most brilliant tactical minds in the COSAFA region, has signed a two-year contract with the national team. His appointment is seen as a natural progression for a man who has dominated the domestic and regional coaching landscape over the last five years.

Mafoso takes over the Likuena mantle following a highly successful stint with African Stars FC in Namibia. His ability to adapt to different footballing cultures and his reputation for discipline and organized defensive structures were key factors in LeFA’s decision to hand him the reins of the national project.

The Pedigree of a Champion

The new coach is held in exceptionally high esteem within Lesotho, largely due to his Midas touch in the Lesotho Premier League. Mafoso’s resume is glittering with domestic silverware:

• Bantu FC (2022/23): He famously guided “A Matlama” to a historic double, clinching both the People’s Cup and the Lesotho Premier League title.

• Bantu FC (2020): In his first spell, he achieved a similar feat, solidifying his status as the country’s 2020 Coach of the Year.

• Lioli FC: Before his dominance with Bantu, he secured the Alliance Cup, proving his ability to win with the country’s biggest clubs.

His appointment is a “homecoming” of sorts, and fans are hopeful that his winning DNA will finally translate to the international stage, where Lesotho has often struggled to maintain consistency against the continent’s heavyweights.

1 New Era: Highly-Rated Bob Mafoso Vows to Transform Lesotho’s Football Fortune

Bob Mafoso has officially taken the reins as the head coach of the Lesotho national team, signaling a bold new chapter for “Likuena.” The CAF A-Licence holder was unveiled on Monday, February 9, 2026, by the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA), stepping in to fill the vacancy left by Leslie Notsi, whose tenure concluded this past December.

Mafoso’s appointment is more than a simple coaching change; for the first time in the nation’s history, the head coach will be solely dedicated to the national squad, ending the tradition of dual roles with local clubs.

For the latest updates on Southern African football, visit our COSAFA Region News Hub.

A Two-Year Mission for the “Tactical Mastermind”

Mafoso has committed to a two-year contract with a primary mandate: navigating the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). His return to his homeland follows a dominant stint in Namibia with African Stars FC, where he led the club to a league title and CAF Champions League qualification.

The Leribe-born tactician is no stranger to the national setup. He previously served as an assistant to Notsi, notably helping the Makoanyane XI (U-20) reach the 2017 COSAFA U-20 Championship final and assisting the senior team during their impressive run to the 2023 COSAFA Cup final.

“I have mixed emotions about the job. I’m excited and scared at the same time because I know that expectations are very high,” Mafoso admitted during his unveiling. “I take strength from knowing that I have the commitment from the President that he will give me and the team support.”

The Pedigree of a Champion

Mafoso’s reputation is built on a “Midas touch” within the Lesotho Premier League. His resume is a roadmap of domestic success across several top clubs:

• Bantu FC: He guided the Maseru-based giants to their fourth league title with an incredible 18-match unbeaten streak.

• Lioli & Linare: He enjoyed successful spells with these historic sides, further cementing his status as the country’s 2020 Coach of the Year.

• Likila United & Sandawana: His early career saw him lead these minnows to impressive top-six finishes, proving his ability to over-perform regardless of the squad’s stature.

The Immediate Challenge: Seychelles and the 2027 AFCON

There is no honeymoon period for the new boss. Mafoso’s first competitive test arrives in late March with the AFCON 2027 preliminary round. Lesotho has been drawn against Seychelles in a two-legged tie scheduled for March 25–31, 2026.

The stakes are immense. The winner of this tie will advance to the group stage, joining 42 seeded nations in the hunt for a ticket to the finals in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Given that Likuena recently moved up nine places in the FIFA rankings following strong displays against Nigeria and Zimbabwe, Mafoso is taking over a squad with genuine upward momentum.

Tactical Outlook: What to Expect?

Under Mafoso, fans can expect a shift toward a more possession-based, high-intensity style. Known for meticulous preparation and a “player-first” philosophy, his success at the club level was built on quick transitions and disciplined wing-play. This tactical flexibility will be vital as he seeks to integrate younger talents from the U-20 and U-23 setups into the senior fold.

With a dedicated focus and a proven winning DNA, Bob Mafoso’s era represents a significant investment by LeFA in the future of Basotho football.