The District Football Association of Maseru (DIFA Maseru) President, Lijane Nthunya, has been elected as the new President of the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) during the Association’s 20th Ordinary Congress held at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena on Saturday.
Nthunya secured 27 of the 52 votes, unseating long-serving president Advocate Salemane Phafane, who had been at the helm of LeFA since succeeding the late Thabo Makakole.
His election marks a new chapter for Lesotho football, signaling a shift in leadership after more than a decade of Phafane’s stewardship.
The Congress was attended by representatives from FIFA, CAF, the Lesotho Sports and Recreational Commission (LSRC), and the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC), adding an air of significance and credibility to the historic event.
Addressing delegates after his victory, an emotional Nthunya expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and trust shown by the football leadership across the country.
“Truly speaking, this has touched me. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of love and support shown in me by the football leaders in this country,” he said.
“It shows that you have trust in me from what I presented to you during my visits to your constituencies.”
The newly elected LeFA President called for unity and reconciliation within Lesotho football, admitting that divisions had emerged during the buildup to the Congress.
He urged all stakeholders to bury their differences and focus on rebuilding the game.
“I know in the buildup to the congress, we were divided, but I plead with you, my leaders, to put it all behind us and work towards the betterment of football in our country,” he continued.
“We have the potential to grow, but what we lack is working together.”
Nthunya’s emotional speech resonated deeply as he emphasized collaboration, humility, and a renewed commitment to progress.
His message was clear – the future of Lesotho football depends on unity and collective effort.
With a fresh mandate and widespread expectations, Nthunya now faces the task of transforming Lesotho football both on and off the pitch, restoring harmony within the Association, and driving development across all levels of the game.
