Lesotho Premier League
Encyclopedia
The Lesotho Premier League also known as Vodacom
Premier League is the top football division in Lesotho
and was created in 1970. Vodacom Lesotho are the current league sponsor and will back the Premier League for three seasons (2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12). Vodacom Lesotho
are also the sponsor of the annual Vodacom Soccer Spectacular
knockout competition, Lesotho's national cup tournament.
Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a defeat.
The champion of the Premier League qualifies to represent Lesotho in the ORANGE CAF Champions League
. In the past the second placed team in the Premier League used to advance to the CAF Confederation Cup
, which is the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League however this was stopped at the turn of the century because of a lack of funds.
The Lesotho Premier League is still played on an amateur status.
The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they have called the Lesotho Premier League:
Vodacom
Vodacom is a pan-African mobile telecommunications company, and was the 1st cellular network in South Africa. It provides GSM service to more than 35 million customers in South Africa, Tanzania, Lesotho, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Revenue for the year ended 31 March 2008...
Premier League is the top football division in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
and was created in 1970. Vodacom Lesotho are the current league sponsor and will back the Premier League for three seasons (2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12). Vodacom Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
are also the sponsor of the annual Vodacom Soccer Spectacular
Vodacom Soccer Spectacular
Vodacom Soccer Spectacular is a Soccer tournament that was launched by Vodacom Lesotho in 2008. Soccer Spectacular is opened for teams in First division and Premier League teams.The fans have to vote for their favourite team with the four clubs with the most votes qualifying for the tournament.The...
knockout competition, Lesotho's national cup tournament.
Format
Until the end of the 2009/10 season there were are sixteen clubs in the Premier League. However this has changed for the 2010/11 season after four teams were relegated at the end of the 2009/10 season following the instruction of the Mohale Declaration, a roadmap introduced by FIFA in 2008 which intends to create a professional league in Lesotho with 12 teams by 2014. The 2010/11 Premier League is currently being contested by 14 clubs. During the course of the 2010/11 season (which lasts from August to May) each club plays the other twice, once at home and once away for a total of 26 games for each club. Four teams will be relegated at the end of the season. Next season the Lesotho Premier League will be contested by 12 teams.Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a defeat.
The champion of the Premier League qualifies to represent Lesotho in the ORANGE CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League
The CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
. In the past the second placed team in the Premier League used to advance to the CAF Confederation Cup
CAF Confederation Cup
The CAF Confederation Cup is an international club association football competition run by the Confederation of African Football.-Qualification:...
, which is the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League however this was stopped at the turn of the century because of a lack of funds.
The Lesotho Premier League is still played on an amateur status.
Sponsorship
Since 2002, Lesotho's Premier League has been sponsored by Telecommunications companies. Econet Telecom Lesotho through its Prepaid product Buddie, sponsored the Premier League and Lesotho's lower leagues (the A-Division, B-Division and C-Division) from 2002 until 2009. In 2009 Lesotho's football governing the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) ended its seven year association with Econet Telecom Lesotho and signed a three year partnership with Vodacom Lesotho. As part of the deal Vodacom Lesotho agreed to sponsor the Premier League and all lower leagues for a combined M1 million per season for three years.The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they have called the Lesotho Premier League:
- 2002–09: Econet Telecom Lesotho (Buddie Premier League)
- 2009–: Vodacom Lesotho (Vodacom Premier League)
2011-12 season
- BantuBantuBantu is used as a general label for 300-600 ethnic groups in Africa of speakers of Bantu languages, distributed from Cameroon east across Central Africa and Eastern Africa to Southern Africa...
(MafetengMafetengMafeteng is a city in Lesotho, and the Camptown of the district of Mafeteng. It is located about 76 kilometres south of the country's capital, Maseru and has a population of approximately 61,000...
) - Joy (LeribeLeribeLeribe may refer to:* Hlotse or Leribe, market town in Lesotho founded in 1876* Leribe District, a district in Lesotho...
) - Lesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4...
(MaseruMaseruMaseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
) (Champions) - Lesotho Defence ForceLesotho Defence ForceThe Lesotho Defence Force is the army and Air Wing of Lesotho.There is no conscription in Lesotho.Of 400,457 males age 18-49, the CIA estimates 162,857 are fit for military service.Military expenditures: $32.3 million...
(MaseruMaseruMaseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
) - Lerotholi PolytechnicLerotholi PolytechnicLerotholi Polytechnic is a Lesotho football club based in Maseru.Lerotholi Polytechnic Football Club is named after a tertiary institution in Maseru called Lerotholi Polytechnic. This institution was founded in about 1906 during the Life of King Lerotholi 2 of Lesotho after whom it was...
(MaseruMaseruMaseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
) - Likhopo (MaseruMaseruMaseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
) - Linare FC (LeribeLeribeLeribe may refer to:* Hlotse or Leribe, market town in Lesotho founded in 1876* Leribe District, a district in Lesotho...
) - Lioli FCLioli FCLioli Football Club is a team in the Lesotho Premier League. The team is based in Teyateyaneng. The club has won two league championships, in 1985 and 2009.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 2*Lesotho Cup: 1...
(TeyateyanengTeyateyanengTeyateyaneng is a town located in the district of Berea in Lesotho. Usually abbreviated to T.Y., Teya-Teyaneng means 'place of quick sands'. Teyateyaneng is also the camptown for the district of Berea...
) - LMPS (MaseruMaseruMaseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
) - Maduma (Butha-ButheButha-ButheButha-Buthe is the capital city or camptown of the Butha-Buthe District in Lesotho. It has a population of approximately 10,000 . It is named for Butha-Buthe Mountain to the north of the town, which King Moshoeshoe I used as his a fortification and headquarters from 1821 to 1823, during his war...
) - Majantja (QuthingQuthingQuthing is the capital city or camptown of Quthing District in Lesotho. Quthing was established in 1877, abandoned in the Gun War of 1880, and then rebuilt at its present site – the southernmost town in Lesotho. It has a population of approximately 15,000 .Quthing district is home to a diverse...
) - Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(MaseruMaseruMaseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the...
) - Mpharane Celtics
- Mphatlalatsane (LeribeLeribeLeribe may refer to:* Hlotse or Leribe, market town in Lesotho founded in 1876* Leribe District, a district in Lesotho...
)
Previous Winners, Runner-ups and Relegations
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Relegated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4... |
Matlama FC Matlama FC Matlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances... |
Mafeteng LMPS (Mafeteng); Butha-Buthe Warriors (Butha-Buthe) |
| 2007-08 | Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4... |
Lesotho Defence Force Lesotho Defence Force The Lesotho Defence Force is the army and Air Wing of Lesotho.There is no conscription in Lesotho.Of 400,457 males age 18-49, the CIA estimates 162,857 are fit for military service.Military expenditures: $32.3 million... |
Arsenal (Maseru); Qalo FC (Butha-Buthe) |
| 2008-09 | Lioli FC Lioli FC Lioli Football Club is a team in the Lesotho Premier League. The team is based in Teyateyaneng. The club has won two league championships, in 1985 and 2009.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 2*Lesotho Cup: 1... |
Lesotho Defence Force Lesotho Defence Force The Lesotho Defence Force is the army and Air Wing of Lesotho.There is no conscription in Lesotho.Of 400,457 males age 18-49, the CIA estimates 162,857 are fit for military service.Military expenditures: $32.3 million... |
Maseru Naughty Boys FC; Sekamaneng Young Stars FC (Berea) |
| 2009-10 | Matlama FC Matlama FC Matlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances... |
Lioli FC Lioli FC Lioli Football Club is a team in the Lesotho Premier League. The team is based in Teyateyaneng. The club has won two league championships, in 1985 and 2009.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 2*Lesotho Cup: 1... |
Rovers (Maseru); Botha Bothe Roses (Butha-Buthe); Majantja (Mohale's Hoek); Nyenye Rovers (Leribe) |
| 2010-11 | Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4... |
Lesotho Defence Force Lesotho Defence Force The Lesotho Defence Force is the army and Air Wing of Lesotho.There is no conscription in Lesotho.Of 400,457 males age 18-49, the CIA estimates 162,857 are fit for military service.Military expenditures: $32.3 million... |
Swallows FC (Mazenod, Maseru); Mabeoana FC (Matsieng) |
Previous winners
- 1970 : Maseru United
- 1971 : Majantja FC (Mohale's Hoek)
- 1972 : Police (Maseru)
- 1973 : Linare FC (Leribe)
- 1974 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1975 : Maseru FC
- 1976 : Maseru United
- 1977 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1978 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1979 : Linare FC (Leribe)
- 1980 : Linare FC (Leribe)
- 1981 : Maseru Brothers
- 1982 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1983 : Lesotho Paramilitary Forces (Maseru)
- 1984 : Lesotho Paramilitary Forces (Maseru)
- 1985 : Lioli FCLioli FCLioli Football Club is a team in the Lesotho Premier League. The team is based in Teyateyaneng. The club has won two league championships, in 1985 and 2009.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 2*Lesotho Cup: 1...
(Teyateyaneng) - 1986 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1987 : Royal Lesotho Defence Force (Maseru)
- 1988 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1989 : ArsenalArsenal (Maseru)Arsenal Football Club is a Lesothan football club based in Maseru.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 3*Lesotho Cup: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:...
(Maseru) - 1990 : Royal Lesotho Defence Force (Maseru)
- 1991 : ArsenalArsenal (Maseru)Arsenal Football Club is a Lesothan football club based in Maseru.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 3*Lesotho Cup: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:...
(Maseru) - 1992 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 1993 : ArsenalArsenal (Maseru)Arsenal Football Club is a Lesothan football club based in Maseru.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 3*Lesotho Cup: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:...
(Maseru) - 1994 : Royal Lesotho Defence Force (Maseru)
- 1995 : Majantja FC (Mohale's Hoek)
- 1996 : Roma Rovers (Maseru)
- 1997 : Royal Lesotho Defence Force (Maseru)
- 1998 : Royal Lesotho Defence Force (Maseru)
- 1999 : Royal Lesotho Defence Force (Maseru)
- 2000 : Lesotho Prisons ServiceLesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4...
(Maseru) - 2001 : Lesotho Defence Force FC (Maseru)
- 2002 : Lesotho Prisons ServiceLesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4...
(Maseru) - 2003 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 2004 : Lesotho Defence Force FC (Maseru)
- 2005 : Likhopo (Maseru)
- 2006 : Likhopo (Maseru)
- 2007 : Lesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4...
(Maseru) - 2008 : Lesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4...
(Maseru) - 2009 : Lioli FCLioli FCLioli Football Club is a team in the Lesotho Premier League. The team is based in Teyateyaneng. The club has won two league championships, in 1985 and 2009.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 2*Lesotho Cup: 1...
(Teyateyaneng) - 2010 : Matlama FCMatlama FCMatlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances...
(Maseru) - 2011 : Lesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional ServicesLesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4...
(Maseru)
Performance By Club
| Club | City | Titles | Last Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matlama FC Matlama FC Matlama football club are the champions of Lesotho, and the most successful club in the country.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 9*Lesotho Cup: 6-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Champions League: 2 appearances... |
Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
9 | 2010 |
| Lesotho Defence Force FC (includes Royal Lesotho Defence Force) | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
8 | 2004 |
| Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services Lesotho Correctional Services football club are a team based in Maseru, Lesotho. They compete in the Lesotho Premier League and have won four league titles.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 4... (includes Lesotho Prisons Service) |
Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
5 | 2011 |
| Arsenal Arsenal (Maseru) Arsenal Football Club is a Lesothan football club based in Maseru.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 3*Lesotho Cup: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:... |
Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
3 | 1993 |
| Linare FC | Leribe Leribe Leribe may refer to:* Hlotse or Leribe, market town in Lesotho founded in 1876* Leribe District, a district in Lesotho... |
3 | 1980 |
| Lesotho Paramilitary Forces | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
2 | 1984 |
| Likhopo | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
2 | 2006 |
| Majantja FC | Mohale's Hoek Mohale's Hoek Mohale's Hoek is the capital city of Mohale's Hoek District in Lesotho. It had a population of approximately 24,992 in 2006.-History:Mohale's Hoek had first been inhabited by the San who were found there by the Baphuthi around 1795. The Baphuthi settled in Kubake near the present Likuena High... |
2 | 1995 |
| Maseru United | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
2 | 1976 |
| Lioli FC Lioli FC Lioli Football Club is a team in the Lesotho Premier League. The team is based in Teyateyaneng. The club has won two league championships, in 1985 and 2009.-Achievements:*Lesotho Premier League: 2*Lesotho Cup: 1... |
Teyateyaneng Teyateyaneng Teyateyaneng is a town located in the district of Berea in Lesotho. Usually abbreviated to T.Y., Teya-Teyaneng means 'place of quick sands'. Teyateyaneng is also the camptown for the district of Berea... |
2 | 2009 |
| Maseru Brothers | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
1 | 1981 |
| Maseru FC | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
1 | 1975 |
| Police | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
1 | 1972 |
| Rovers | Maseru Maseru Maseru is the capital of Lesotho. It is also the capital of the Maseru District. Located on the Caledon River, bordering South Africa, Maseru is Lesotho's only sizable city, with a population of approximately 227,880 . The city was established as a police camp and assigned as the capital after the... |
1 | 1996 |
Topscorers
| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
| 2000/01 |  Lire PhiriLire Phiri Lire Phiri is a Lesothan footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Lesotho Defence Force. Since 2003, he has won four caps for the Lesotho national football team.In 2000-01 he was the top scorer in the Lesotho Premier League.-External links:... |
Lesotho Defence Force FC | 30 |
| 2005/06 | Masupha Majara |
Lesotho Defence Force FC | 9 |
Premier League domestic cups
- Lesotho Independence Cup (Top 4)
- MGC Supa 8
- Vodacom Soccer SpectacularVodacom Soccer SpectacularVodacom Soccer Spectacular is a Soccer tournament that was launched by Vodacom Lesotho in 2008. Soccer Spectacular is opened for teams in First division and Premier League teams.The fans have to vote for their favourite team with the four clubs with the most votes qualifying for the tournament.The...