Quote of the week

“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.” – Muhammad Ali

Monday, September 12, 2011

Lesotho Premier League roundup

LDF and Lioli have got their Vodacom Premier League seasons off to a good start, just what the doctor ordered as both sides seek to mount a credible title challenge this season.

The two sides’ notable exploits this weekend came in Leribe.

LDF, eight-times champions, are always in and around the title-chasing pack and they picked up a very impressive 1-0 win over Joy at the TSL Ground in Hlotse, inflicting the first defeat on Motlatsi Thibinyane’s side this season. Joy have been LDF’s bogey side in recent seasons and the win, thanks to Matli Matli and Mojela Letsie, was another positive result in what has been a solid start to the season for Sohle-Sohle, including a 2-1 win over champions LCS on the opening weekend.

Lioli produced an even more impressive display however as they overcame Linare 3-0 in Hlotse thanks to a second half brace by revitalised striker Sello ‘Muso and a late own goal by Linare defender Kopano Motaung.

The win moved Tse Nala to the top of the Vodacom Premier League for the first time in over a year and signalled their title ambitions.

Champions in 2009, Lioli endured a miserable 2010/11 campaign, only scrapping a top eight finish in the last weeks of the season. But Tse Nala looked mightily impressive against Linare, overpowering their Great North rivals as the game wore on. Their midfield trident of Shetsane Ramoseeka, Malebanye Congo Ramoabi and Motlalepula Mofolo was particularly impressive.

Another notable result from the weekend’s action was Matlama’s 4-2 victory over Mpharane Celtics away from home as Tse Putsoa got their season back on track. Matlama’s goals came courtesy of a Motlalepula Chabeli brace and one each from midfielders Pali Tšalong and Tšoanelo Koetle.

In Mafeteng, Maduma pulled off the shock of the season so far with a 1-0 win over big-spending Bantu while another underdog, Majantja, held champions LCS to a one-all draw in Mohale’s Hoek.

There was no such luck for Likhopo though as Motlatsi Shale’s side’s miserable start to the season continued with a 1-0 loss at home to LMPS yesterday. It is now three games, three losses, no goals and no points for Likhopo this season.

Ausi Tholoana
The Football Guru
Maseru, Lesotho 


Results
Saturday: Linare 0-3 Lioli, Bantu 0-1 Maduma, Mpharane Celtics 2-4 Matlama
Sunday: Majantja 1-1 LCS, Likhopo 0-1 LMPS, Joy 0-2 LDF

This weekend’s fixtures
Saturday
LMPS vs Majantja (PTC Ground)
LCS vs Lioli (LCS Stadium)
Joy vs Likhopo (TSL Ground)
Sunday
LDF vs Mpharane Celtics (Ratjomose)
Maduma vs Linare (Khukhune)
Matlama vs Bantu (LCS Stadium) 

Vodacom Premier League table


P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Lioli
3
2
1
0
5
1
4
7
2
LDF
3
2
1
0
5
2
3
7
3
Joy
3
2
0
1
4
2
2
6
4
LMPS
3
1
2
0
3
2
1
5
5
LCS
3
1
1
1
5
2
3
4
6
Matlama
3
1
1
1
6
5
1
4
7
Bantu
3
1
1
1
3
3
0
4
8
Maduma
3
1
1
1
3
4
-1
4
9
Linare
3
1
1
1
2
4
-2
4
10
Majantja
3
0
2
1
2
3
-1
2
11
Mpharane Celtics
3
0
1
2
5
8
-3
1
12
Likhopo
3
0
0
3
0
5
-5
0

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