Lesotho has appointed Bob Mafoso as their new national team coach, just six weeks ahead of the preliminary qualifying round for the next Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa.
Mafoso replaces Leslie Notši, whose contract expired at the end of last year. He previously served as Notši’s assistant before taking charge of Namibian side African Stars in Windhoek.
Mafoso’s coaching career in the Lesotho Premier League began in the 2013/2014 season with newly promoted Likila United, guiding them to a sixth-place finish.
He then moved to Sandawana, leading the club to fourth place the following season.
In 2016, he joined Bantu as assistant coach to former South Africa under-23 international James Madidilane, helping the Maseru-based team secure back-to-back league titles.
In 2018, Mafoso took charge of Kick4Life before returning to Bantu in 2019 as head coach, steering them to a fourth league title with an 18-match unbeaten run during a Covid-19 disrupted season.
He also had brief spells with Lioli and Linare before moving to Namibia, where he won the league with African Stars.
“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 said following his appointment.
His first assignment will be the two-legged preliminary qualifier against the Seychelles, with the opening match away and the return leg at home scheduled for the end of next month.
