Four things we learned – Lesotho Premier League

There are just eight more rounds to go in the Lesotho Premier League and things are really heating up, here’s what we learned from the weekend’s action…

1. Maduma won’t be relegated…

The little-known club from the small Butha-Buthe village of Khukhune has exceeded all expectations set of them at the start the season with a quite stunning performance campaign so far. Maduma have been so impressive that even with seven matches left it is safe to say they will be a premiership team again next season.

Their probable survival has, typically of Maduma, been sealed by another stunning win, this time a 2-0 success yesterday away to Vodacom Soccer Spectacular champions Likhopo.

Maduma’s win over a team that until yesterday had designs on the league was symptomatic of the Khukhune side’s giant killing season in which they have beaten both LDF and Linare, and held champions Matlama.

And Maduma aren’t just surviving, they are thriving. Maduma are sitting pretty in sixth place in the Vodacom Premier League above illustrious names such as Matlama, Lioli and Likhopo.

Maduma now have 29 points in the bag and although basement-dwellers Lerotholi, Mphatlalatsane and Swallows can all mathematically still catch them it is hard to see Maduma making an immediate return to the first division.

Maduma, who are enjoying their first top-flight campaign in club history, are reaping the rewards of shrewd business in the off-season.

Maduma added the classy experience of former Likuena international midfielder Sidwell Mothea and savvy old heads Khathatso Sekonyela and Puseletso Makafane. This experience mixed with the enthusiasm of youth and the Khukhune community, where Maduma have collected 17 points from a possible 27, has produced an explosive cocktail.

Maduma’s form look set to reverse numerous past trends.

In the five previous Premiership seasons seven of the ten teams which were promoted went straight back down. Four of them, Mafeteng LMPS and Butha-Buthe Warriors in 2006/07, Qalo in 2007/08 and Sekamaneng Young Stars in 2008/09, conceded 60 goals or more.

Furthermore, in three of the past four seasons a side from Butha-Buthe has been relegated from the top flight – these clubs being Butha-Buthe Warriors in 2006/07, Qalo in 2007/08 and Botha Bothe Roses last season, all quite dismally it should be added.

In the only season, 2008/09, that a side from the place of lying down didn’t sink, Botha Bothe Roses finished 14th, only three points above the drop zone.

But Maduma have clearly not taken the meaning of their district’s name as literally as their predecessors – they aren’t lying down for anybody, and Maduma are set to be back for more next season.

2. The title race is wide open…

A week is indeed a long time in football. Last week one would have been forgiven for concluding LCS would run away with the Vodacom Premier League title after a run of seven wins in seven. But this Monday the picture is a little bit different, the title race is wide open again.

The reason for this is LCS’s goalless draw with Lioli in Teyateyaneng yesterday which means the top four sides are now separated by just two points. LCS still have to face LDF, Linare, Bantu and Matlama in the run-in. It’s definitely game-on once more.

3. Mabeoana, Swallows and Mphatlalatsane are definitely gone…

It’s clear now there is very little hope of avoiding the axe for the bottom three. Four teams are being relegated this season and Mabeoana, Swallows and Mphatlalatsane will be on this dreaded list. Even though it’s still mathematically possible for all three to survive it’s difficult to see judging by their displays so far this campaign. Frankly put, all three don’t have the quality required to remain in the top-flight.

Their biggest problem has been their inability to win matches; between them Mabeoana, Swallows and Mphatlalatsane have won only four of 57 matches – that’s simply not good enough. With the Premier League more competitive than it has ever been it is tough to see where the points they need to save their skins will come from.

Lerotholi, who occupy the last relegation spot, aren’t much better off either… but the Grim Reaper isn’t circling them just yet…

4. Lesotho's football is worse than amateur…

Saturday’s injury to Matlama striker Mohau Khali was another sad anecdote in Lesotho’s football. It has been confirmed that Khali, who was set to be part of the Makoanyane XI’s Caf African Youth Championship squad later this month, suffered a broken leg following an innocuous challenge with LDF goalkeeper Sello Ramakau in Tse Putsoa’s 3-2 defeat to the army side.

What was shocking to see was Khali having to lay pitch side, doubtless in agony, for 12 minutes before he was taken to hospital and even then, in a supporter’s vehicle, not an ambulance.

There was no immediate expert medical help and it often said that it’s those early moments after serious incident that can decide whether a player ever plays again. It is an extremely depressing indictment on the state of Lesotho's football, especially considering this is a national team prospect – a national treasure.

Weekend results

Saturday: LDF 3-2 Matlama, Joy 0-1 Linare, LMPS 3-1 Mabeoana

Sunday: Lioli 0-0 LCS, Swallows 1-1 Mphatlalatsane, Bantu 1-0 Lerotholi, Likhopo 0-2 Maduma

Vodacom Premier League table

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	LCS	18	10	7	1	32	13	19	37
2	Linare	19	10	6	3	24	14	10	36
3	LDF	18	10	6	2	23	13	10	36
4	Bantu	19	10	5	4	24	16	8	35
5	LMPS	18	8	5	5	22	15	7	29
6	Maduma	19	8	5	6	26	26	0	29
7	Matlama	18	6	8	4	14	11	3	26
8	Likhopo	17	7	5	5	20	18	2	26
9	Lioli	19	6	7	6	19	16	3	25
10	Joy	19	5	6	8	15	17	-2	21
11	Lerotholi	18	4	4	10	14	27	-13	16
12	Mphatlalatsane	19	1	10	8	20	30	-10	13
13	Swallows	19	2	6	11	12	25	-13	12
14	Mabeoana	19	1	4	14	8	32	-24	7