The Lesotho Men’s Tennis Team took a confident step in their international sporting journey this July as they traveled to Gaborone, Botswana, to compete in the Davis Cup – Africa Group V. The team departed on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, from Moshoeshoe I International Airport, carrying not only their rackets but also their hopes and pride.
The Davis Cup, is a premier international team competition in men’s tennis, sees nations from around the globe compete across various levels. In Africa, the tournament is structured into groups (I through V), with countries battling for promotion or fighting to avoid relegation. Lesotho, currently in Group V, was among fifteen nations vying for two promotion slots into Group IV for 2026.
This year’s Davis Cup group V matches were hosted at the National Tennis Centre in Gaborone, Botswana. Countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Libya, and Congo were also in the mix, creating a fiercely competitive environment. Lesotho kicked off their campaign with a powerful performance against Mauritius on Wednesday, 23 July. The team made a clear statement of intent, sweeping the tie with dominant showings from top players Mpho Leshoele and Lerato Mathibela. Both players secured wins in the singles matches and later teamed up to clinch the doubles match, giving Lesotho a clean sweep in their opening encounter.
The team, comprising Mpho Leshoele, Lerato Mathibela, Kamohelo Marhibeela, and Langa Matloebe, faced a tougher test on Friday, 25 July, against Rwanda. In a hard fought battle, Leshoele lost narrowly to Rwanda’s Claude with scores of 4–6, 5–7, while Mathibela also went down in straight sets (3–6, 6–7) to Etienne. However, the duo bounced back in the doubles match, defeating Rwanda’s Dieu Donne and David Manzi in a thrilling 6–4, 7–6 (5) victory that showcased their resilience and teamwork.
Ultimately, Lesotho finished 5th out of the 15 participating nations a significant improvement from their 10th-place finish in 2024. During last year’s Group V event, Lesotho had competed in Pool C alongside Botswana, Madagascar, and Libya, where they suffered defeats in all their ties, including a ninth-place play-off loss to Sudan. These young athletes have not only represented Lesotho on the court but have elevated the country’s standing in the African tennis community. With continued support and development, Lesotho’s climb up the Davis Cup ranks looks promising.
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