Lesotho A–Division Explained

Lesotho A–Division
Country:Lesotho
Organiser:Lesotho Football Association
Confed:CAF
Promotion:Lesotho Premier League
Relegation:Lesotho B-Division Regional Leagues
Levels:2
Domest Cup:Independence Cup
Champions:Machokha FC (1st title)
Most Successful Club:Arsenal FC (2)
Website:Website

The Lesotho A–Division is the second-tier football league in Lesotho, operating under the auspices of the Lesotho Football Association.

Organization

The league is divided into two streams: Northern and Southern. Teams compete within their respective streams during the regular season. The top four teams from each stream then combine for a playoff tournament to determine which club earns promotion to the Lesotho Premier League.[1] [2]

Sponsorship

Vodacom was a significant sponsor of the league until 2017. The league went without a sponsor until September 2021, when the Lesotho Post Bank signed a three-year deal, including naming rights to the league, now known as the Lesotho Post Bank League.[3] The final-eight play-offs have been sponsored by Nedbank, a financial services provider from South Africa, since 2019.[4]

List of Champions

SeasonNorthernSouthernGrand Champion
2008/09[5] Maduma FCArsenal FCArsenal FC
2009/10[6] Maduma FCArsenal FCArsenal FC
2010/11[7] Mpharane Celtics FCMajantja FCQoaling Highlanders FC
2011/12[8] Unknown
2012/13[9] Mphatlalatsane FCMelele FCMaduma FC
2013/14[10] Qalo FCKick 4 Life FCKick 4 Life FC
2014/15[11] Rovers FCLiphakoe FCLiphakoe FC
2015/16[12] Unknown
2016/17[13] Sefothafotha FCMajantja FCMazenod Swallows FC
2017/18[14] Galaxy FC
2018/19[15] Lifofane FCLijabatho FCBoth promoted
2019/20[16] Abandoned because of COVID-19 pandemic
2020–22[17] Galaxy FCMachokha FCMachokha FC

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nyakane . Selloane . A Division Top 8 draw . The Lesotho Tribune . 1 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Lesotho Post Bank to sponsor A-Division . 15 October 2019 . The Lesotho Post . 1 August 2022.
  3. Web site: Lesotho Post Bank to sponsor A-Division . 10 September 2021 . africa-press.net . 2 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Thuseho . Leemisa . Nedbank Back On Board As A-Division Top 8 Sponsor . 4 May 2022 . The Lesotho Times . 2 August 2022.
  5. Web site: Loko . Thabang . Lesotho 2008/09 . . 1 August 2022.
  6. Web site: Schöggl . Hans. Lesotho 2009/10 . . 1 August 2022.
  7. Web site: Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2010/11 . . 1 August 2022.
  8. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2011/12 . . 1 August 2022.
  9. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2012/13 . . 1 August 2022.
  10. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2013/14 . . 1 August 2022.
  11. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2014/15 . . 1 August 2022.
  12. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2015/16 . . 1 August 2022.
  13. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2016/17 . . 1 August 2022.
  14. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2017/18 . . 1 August 2022.
  15. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2018/19 . . 1 August 2022.
  16. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2019/20 . . 1 August 2022.
  17. Web site: Schöggl . Hans . Stokkermans . Karel . Lesotho 2020-22 . . 1 August 2022.