LDF vs LCS
Sunday, 29 May 2011
14:00
Ratjomose, Maseru
It’s a nine month neck-and-neck horse race that will have to be settled by a photo finish.
This afternoon when LDF and LCS clash it will be a case of winner takes all.
The two sides are level at the top of the Lesotho
The winners of today’s decider will also qualify for the 2012 Caf Champions League meaning a potential lucrative date with South African champions Orlando Pirates. As the African saying goes; when two elephants clash, it is the grass that will suffer…
LDF
LDF’s consistency is exemplary. The army side has not finished outside the league’s top three in the last ten seasons. However a lack of silverware is beginning to ache now. Sohle-Sohle haven’t won the championship since 2004 and have had to settle for a few too many end of season heartbreaks
LDF go into today’s game as perhaps the more settled of the two teams. The only slight question mark is who partners top scorer Mojela Letsie upfront. Tšepo Keketsi however is expected to start and continue in place of Thabo Mphethe. Mphethe has been a find of the season but he has been overlooked since LDF’s 1-0 loss to Likhopo at the end of April. And the experienced Keketsi has performed well scoring a crucial brace in a vital 3-2 win over LMPS three weeks ago.
LDF’s central midfield pairing is settled. Hardman Matli Matli will screen the defence while Bongata Kori will probe. Likuena international Molefe Lekoekoe will start on left. Perhaps there is slight uncertainty on the right of midfield with Mafoafoa Lephoto and Janefeke Molibeli vying for the spot. The back four picks itself with leftback Lengana Nkhethoa captaining the team, defensive rocks Tumane Lethakha and Koporala Motanyane in central defence and Mokoena Moahloli at rightback.
It’s a physical team – very direct, forceful and ruthless in its approach.
LCS
Midfielder Ralekoti Mokhahlane will return to the starting line-up against LDF. This was confirmed yesterday by LCS coach Mafa Ribbo Ramakau. Mokhahlane was suspended for Masheshena’s 1-0 win over Matlama at the Setsoto Stadium on Wednesday after he was sent off against Joy last Saturday. His absence was sorely felt as Matlama completely overran LCS. Mokhahlana’s combative style could be crucial for Masheshena in what is sure to be a war of attrition in the middle of the park. Mokhahlane is also one of the best passers of the ball in Lesotho
Mokhahlane is most likely to be partnered by Lieta Lehloka, if he doesn’t play wide right. And that is maybe one of the dilemma’s facing Masheshena. Lehloka, Sobhuza Tshabalala and Thulo Ranchobe have all played in the centre of the park over the past six weeks while it’s also unclear which two of Lawrence Molengoane, Motlatsi Rantja or Tšeliso Khali will occupy the wings.
Star winger Khali is struggling with injury which caused him to miss last Saturday’s 3-2 win over Joy and saw him replaced in the second half against Matlama on Wednesday.
Key points
- LDF are unbeaten against LCS in the last four games, in fact they have won all of them, 3-0 in 2008/09, 1-0 and 2-1 last season and 1-0 at the Central Prison earlier this year.
- Ironically the teams met on the last day of last season as well in a similar high stakes match. That day the winner stood to qualify for the top four. LDF ran out 2-1 winners, completing a second half comeback after Masheshena had taken an early lead.
- LDF icon Malefetsane Pheko has collected six league winner’s medals since joining LDF from Lioli in 1992 which makes him Lesotho
- LDF are in good form. Since an unexpected 1-0 loss to Joy at Ratjomose in March, their only home defeat this season, Sohle-Sohle have won eight of nine scoring 20 goals.
- Masheshena aren’t too bad either. Since losing 2-1 to LDF in January, their only defeat this season, LCS have won 13 of 16 games, scoring 35 goals and conceding just nine in the process.
- LCS’s veteran coach Mafa Ramakau won eight league winner’s medals as coach of LDF which is a record. A title win today would be his ninth and a first since taking over at Masheshena last January.
- LCS assistant coach Mosholi Mokhothu has now been involved in three consecutive title races and is looking to add another winner’s medal to his collection. Shoes won the league as Lioli coach in 2008/09 and last season guided Lioli to second place before joining LCS at the start of this season.
- LDF’s Mojela Letsie and LCS’s Thabane Rankara have both scored 13 goals this season and are tied in the race for the Golden Boot.
- Both teams are captained by experienced Likuena leftbacks, Lengana Nkhethoa for LDF and Khoto Sesinyi for LCS
- Both LDF and LCS are exponents of the conventional 4-4-2 formation.
- A win for Sohle-Sohle would move them alongside Matlama as Lesotho
- LDF have the best home record having collected 30 points from a possible 39 at Ratjomose this season while LCS have the finest away record and are the only side undefeated on their travels this season.
Probable starting line-ups:
LDF (4-4-2)
Rethabile Qejoa
Mokoena Moahloli Tumane Lethakha Koporala Motanyane Lengana Nkhethoa ©
Mafoafoa Lephoto Matli Matli Bongata Kori Molefe Lekoekoe
Tšepo Keketsi Mojela Letsie
LCS (4-4-2)
Sam Ketsekile
Katleho Lethabela Poloko Mohale Moitheri Ntobo Khoto Sesinyi ©
Tšeliso Khali Ralekoti Mokhahlane Lieta Lehloka Lawrence
Thulo Ranchobe Thabane Rankara
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