Lesotho U-15 team learns from FIFA World Cup
The national squad finished 116th out of 189 countries in Baku, Azerbaijan, in their first FIFA World Cup appearance.
Lesotho's Under-15 men's football team participated in the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24 to 30. The team, largely drawn from the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Academy in Leribe, finished 116th out of 189 participating nations. This marked Lesotho's debut at any FIFA World Cup event across all age categories. The squad recorded three wins and five defeats in eight matches during the tournament.
Coach Mahlomola Matšoara described the experience as a learning curve, highlighting the need for local players to improve speed, physical strength, and bravery. He noted that the eight-a-side format, played in 20-minute halves, accelerated tactical decision-making under pressure. Matšoara expressed confidence that the LeFA Academy, supported by FIFA's Talent Development Scheme since 2023, would help develop more competitive players.
FIFA has supplied the academy with a development coach, Sam Smith from the United Kingdom, to nurture players born between 2011 and 2012. Matšoara advocates for the adoption of the eight-a-side format in schools to enhance players' technical, tactical, and physical growth. The tournament exposed the team to experimental rule changes and demanding conditions, with teams playing approximately two matches daily at a high tempo.
Why it mattersLesotho's U-15 football team gained international experience and identified areas for player development at the FIFA World Cup.