Linare's quest remains on track

So close but yet so far, that’s been Linare’s recurrent story in recent times with the proud Leribe club without any silverware since the turn of the century.  On the league front things are especially depressing with Tse Tala without a championship win in 31 years, a period in which their bitter rivals Matlama and Lioli have often revelled in glory.

In the previous two seasons Linare finished ninth and eighth respectively, 33 points behind winners Lioli in 2008/09 and 22 behind Matlama last term. This is all in stark contrast to the seventies and eighties when Linare were football VIPs in Lesotho.

Tse Tala were a crusade whose sole objective was to give happiness to its masses. It wasn’t abnormal for a dozen bus loads of fans from around Leribe, waving green flags and tree branches, to invade Maseru.

But it wasn’t just Maseru that was conquered, wherever the green army ventured victory seemingly followed. Linare won successive championships in 1979 and 1980 to add to their maiden league triumph in 1973.

Considering the strength of their competition Tse Tala’s feats were notable. Mohale’s Hoek’s Majantja, Lioli (Berea), Bantu (Mafeteng) and Liphakoe (Quthing) all had formidable sides while Maseru didn’t have to rely on soldiers and prison wardens for its success. The capital had a collection of teams – mostly named Maseru something.

Maseru United, Lesotho’s first league champions in 1970 and winners again in 1976, were a dominant side. Maseru FC were champions in 1975 while Maseru Brothers won the league in 1981. Then of course there was Matlama, the Glamour Boys and Lesotho’s first back-to-back league winners in 1977 and 1978.

But still, despite this fierce competition, from the winter of 1979 to the summer of 1981 Linare ruled Lesotho. Tse Tala remained a force through the eighties and formed part of local football’s golden age in the late eighties and early nineties, the days of Matlama, LDF and Arsenal’s rivalry, without ever reaping great success.

From there things went firmly downhill for Linare, to a point where they weren’t even considered top four material.

But this season Linare seem determined to change this.

This afternoon Tse Tala moved to the top of the Vodacom Premier League for the first time in 2011 after overcoming a spirited Likhopo 3-1 at PTC. Of course it’s still too early to get overly excited; LDF’s 1-0 win over Lioli in Teyateyaneng means they are more than hanging to Linare’s coattails – equal on 39 points, and with a game in hand. And fellow contenders LCS and Bantu play tomorrow afternoon.

So there is still a lot of football to be played.

But on the evidence of their display today Linare are championship material. Champions need to show a fighting quality against adversity and Linare finally showed it.

Today’s match was a competetive one glistened with quality football. This wasn’t a surprise. Linare have consistently played the most attractive football in Lesotho this season while Likhopo boast the finest young talents in the country, talent that makes up the core of the Makoanyane XI side that will compete at the Caf African Youth Championship starting next weekend.

After a tight first half Linare took the lead in the 65th minute through Moses Ramafole but almost immediately allowed Likhopo to equalise through Tsebang Lebata. It was a major setback and it looked as if two points were going to be dropped. The travelling support from Leribe was restless. Likhopo were looking dangerous.

But a moment of magic from substitute Tšiu Moroosi in the 87th minute, wriggling free in the box, set up Pita Matekane to score past Kananelo Makhoane and spark wild celebration amogsnt those who made the long journey from Leribe. Refiloe Potse then fired Linare’s third in injury time to seal all three points. In the end it was a wonderful win and it keeps Tse Tala track in their quest for the league. But it is the manner of the win more than anything that will have Linare dreaming of a return to those glory days.

Talking points

Refiloe Potse and Moses Ramafole, the importance of experience

Anchorman Refiloe Potse has been a superb addition to Linare roster since joining from LCS at the start of the season. Potse has seen it all before in Lesotho football having represented Likuena and won two titles with Masheshena. Now he is back in Hlotse and on a mission to bring his hometown the title. Linare were the better side today simply because they were hungrier for the prize awaiting them and because of the experience of Potse and Moses Ramafole. The two have been mainstays all season. This afternoon Potse was a calm head throughout while Ramafole expertly opened the scoring. Potse sealed the deal with a trademark long range piledriver. Ramafole and Potse, both Leribe natives, will be key to Linare’s hopes.

Likhopo’s striker-less formation

Likhopo started the game with a striker-less formation. The full name of Bishop Molatoli's team is FC Likhopo, modelled on its role model club FC Barcelona. Likhopo have also adopted Barcelona’s fluid forward line approach with Lekhanya Lekhanya, Mojalefa Tšoeu and Tsebang Lebata drifting in a front three with Tšeliso Sejake in behind them. It’s extremely entertaining to watch, this is some of the best talent around. Lebata was a major reason Lesotho qualified for the African Youth Championship with his electric pace and touch and he was on target again today. The problem with Likhopo is consistency. Today’s loss, their second on the bounce, now means they are unlikely to finish in the top four, but if they keep this group of players together championship success will surely be attainable next season.

Today’s results: Likhopo 1-3 Linare, Lioli 0-1 LDF, Lerotholi Polytechnic 0-0 Maduma, Swallows 1-1 Mabeoana

Tomorrow’s games: Bantu vs LCS (Mafeteng), LMPS vs Joy (PTC), Matlama vs Mphatlalatsane (Central Prison)

Vodacom Premier League table

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Linare	20	11	6	3	27	15	12	39
2	LDF	19	11	6	2	24	13	11	39
3	LCS	18	10	7	1	32	13	19	37
4	Bantu	19	10	5	4	24	16	8	35
5	Maduma	20	8	6	6	26	26	0	30
6	LMPS	18	8	5	5	22	15	7	29
7	Matlama	18	6	8	4	14	11	3	26
8	Likhopo	18	7	5	6	21	21	0	26
9	Lioli	20	6	7	7	19	17	2	25
10	Joy	19	5	6	8	15	17	-2	21
11	Lerotholi	19	4	5	10	14	27	-13	17
12	Mphatlalatsane	19	1	10	8	20	30	-10	13
13	Swallows	20	2	7	11	13	26	-13	13
14	Mabeoana	20	1	5	14	9	33	-24	8