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

Friday, October 30, 2015

Bantu face Lioli, and they need a win

Lioli and Bantu meet on Sunday
The Vodacom Premier League returns this weekend and the biggest match is the clash between Lioli and Bantu on Sunday. The two sides have won the last three league titles between them with Lioli winning in 2013 and this year and Bantu winning in 2014.

Few, then, would have expected for their meeting to be a match between teams that are nine places apart in the league.

But, it is.

While Lioli, first and unbeaten, are keeping true to pre-season predictions, Bantu are tenth and have already lost twice in their six matches so far.

It is a terrible start for A Matšo Matebele who are expected to challenge for the championship. Instead they are coach-less after firing Katiso Mojakhomo at the start of the month.

Bantu already find themselves eight points behind Lioli and a loss on Sunday would make a title win highly improbable. In fact, maybe only a win will do, just so Bantu can cut the deficit and potentially kick-start their season.

But, gaining all three points on Sunday won’t be easy.

Lioli have lost in over a year in the league, a streak of 24 matches. And although they haven’t yet hit the highs over last season in terms of performance, Tse Nala remain the ultimate puzzle because they can score and are hard to score against.

The game is also on neutral ground despite being Bantu’s home fixture. It is being at Setsoto Stadium to cater for demand, robbing A Matšo Matebele of their Mafeteng advantage.

Nevertheless, Bantu have to make a plan because they need a win.

Form table


P
W
D
L
GD
GF
Pts
1
Lioli
5
4
1
0
8
2
13
2
Matlama
5
4
0
1
11
6
12
3
Likhopo
5
3
2
0
8
1
11
4
Linare
5
3
1
1
9
4
10
5
LCS
5
3
1
1
4
3
10
6
Sandawana FC
5
2
2
1
6
4
8
7
Bantu United
5
2
2
1
4
2
8
8
Likila United
5
2
1
2
5
7
7
9
Kick4Life
5
1
4
0
5
4
7
10
Rovers
5
2
1
2
5
5
7
11
Liphakoe FC
5
1
3
1
2
4
6
12
LDF
5
0
2
3
1
5
2
13
Mphatlalatsane
5
0
1
4
2
9
1
14
LMPS
5
0
1
4
5
10
1

Bantu need to make a plan
The weekend’s action will kick off tomorrow with a game between Kick4Life and LMPS at Old Europa. Something has to give. Kick4Life are yet to win at home this season while LMPS haven’t won away from home.

There are only two Saturday fixtures.

The other is Sandawana versus Linare in Butha-Buthe. The game will be Bob Mafoso’s first in official charge of Sandawana. He took over provisionally when Lehlohonolo “Freeze” Ntene was sacked three weeks ago and promptly led the Butha-Buthe side to back-to-back wins. Linare are also in promising if untrustworthy form. Tse Tala have collected 10 points from the last 15 available.

On Sunday, high-flying Rovers welcome winless LDF. It’s a tough one to call. Rovers lost their last game and winless LDF may be due a win.

In Quthing, new boys Liphakoe host second-placed Likhopo. Likhopo are the only remaining unbeaten side not named Lioli. They have also scored the most goals (12) and have the league’s top scorer, Lehlohonolo Ramabele. He’s notched seven goals.

Fourth-placed Matlama have a difficult Sunday assignment. The title hopefuls travel to Butha-Buthe to face a vastly improved Likila United side that is unbeaten in their last three games.

Finally, the league’s bottom side Mphatlalatsane host LCS at the Maputsoe DiFA Stadium. Mphatlalatsane haven’t won in their seven games. Linaleli have scored just three times and conceded 13. These are the games LCS should be winning if they are to have any hopes of challenging for the title.

All eyes on Sunday, however, will be on Setsoto.

Will Lioli be celebrating on Sunday?
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday
Sandawana v Linare (15:00, Butha-Buthe)
Kick4Life v LMPS (15:00, Old Europa)

Sunday
Likila United v Matlama (15:00, Butha-Buthe)
Liphakoe v Likhopo (15:00, Quthing)
Mphatlalatsane v LCS (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Rovers v LDF (15:00, Roma)
Bantu v Lioli (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)

Vodacom Premier League Table

P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Lioli
6
5
1
0
11
2
9
16
2
Likhopo
6
4
2
0
12
2
10
14
3
Rovers
8
4
2
2
7
5
2
14
4
Matlama
6
4
1
1
11
6
5
13
5
Likila United
8
3
2
3
8
9
-1
11
6
Linare
8
3
1
4
11
11
0
10
7
LCS
6
3
1
2
4
4
0
10
8
Kick4Life
8
2
4
2
6
7
-1
10
9
Sandawana
8
2
3
3
7
10
-3
9
10
Bantu
6
2
2
2
4
4
0
8
11
Liphakoe
7
1
4
2
2
5
-3
7
12
LMPS
8
1
2
5
7
11
-4
5
13
LDF
8
0
5
3
3
7
-4
5
14
Mphatlalatsane
7
0
2
5
3
13
-10
2