Lesotho A–Division
Football league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lesotho A–Division is the second-tier football league in Lesotho, operating under the auspices of the Lesotho Football Association.
| |
| Organising body | Lesotho Football Association |
|---|---|
| Country | Lesotho |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Lesotho Premier League |
| Relegation to | Lesotho B-Division Regional Leagues |
| Domestic cup | Independence Cup |
| Current champions | Machokha FC (1st title) |
| Most championships | Arsenal FC (2) |
| Website | Website |
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
| Season | Northern | Southern | Grand Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008/09[5] | Maduma FC | Arsenal FC | Arsenal FC |
| 2009/10[6] | Maduma FC | Arsenal FC | Arsenal FC |
| 2010/11[7] | Mpharane Celtics FC | Majantja FC | Qoaling Highlanders FC |
| 2011/12[8] | Unknown | ||
| 2012/13[9] | Mphatlalatsane FC | Melele FC | Maduma FC |
| 2013/14[10] | Qalo FC | Kick 4 Life FC | Kick 4 Life FC |
| 2014/15[11] | Rovers FC | Liphakoe FC | Liphakoe FC |
| 2015/16[12] | Unknown | ||
| 2016/17[13] | Sefothafotha FC | Majantja FC | Mazenod Swallows FC |
| 2017/18[14] | Galaxy FC | Mazenod Swallows FC | Mazenod Swallows FC |
| 2018/19[15] | Lifofane FC | Lijabatho FC | Both promoted |
| 2019/20[16] | Abandoned because of COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2020–22[17] | Galaxy FC | Machokha FC | Machokha FC |