What A Day - The Lesotho Premier League

Today was a massive day in the Lesotho Premier League both at the summit and bottom of the log. At the top LCS and LDF stayed on course for a final day showdown with 1-0 victories over Matlama and Linare respectively. The pair of results mean Masheshena and Sohle-Sohle remain locked on 51 points at the top of the Vodacom Premier League, with LCS with their noses in front on goal difference.

LCS stayed just ahead in the race thanks to Thabane Rankara’s fifth minute strike, his 13th of the season, and some poor finishing by outgoing champions Matlama. Masheshena were thoroughly second best for the entire game and Katleho Lethabela’s first half goal-line clearance and Litšepe Marabe’s saved 78th minute penalty were amongst a host of missed Matlama chances at the Setsoto Stadium.

Second-placed Sohle-Sohle also had their top scorer to thank for their hard-fought win, hitman Mojela Letsie grabbing a second half winner over Linare in Hlotse. The goal was Letsie’s 13th of the season placing him level with Rankara at the top of the scorers’ charts.

The pair of results also means Linare will finish fourth and have qualified for next season’s Independence Cup.

In Teyateyaneng, the returning Sello ‘Muso notched his second goal in as many games to inspire Lioli to a 2-1 win over visiting Bantu. ‘Muso who spent all of five months without playing after he was initially suspended by Lioli for ill-discipline, also scored the winner on Sunday against LMPS and Scalo has returned just in time to lift Tse Nala away from the relegation zone. Lioli’s second goal came via Thabo Masualle as Tse Nala saw off a Bantu side already guaranteed a coveted top four place.

In Hlotse, Joy confined fellow Leribe side Mphatlalatsane to the relegation with a 1-0 win. Joy’s winning goal was scored by Makoanyane XI captain Basia Makepe who was shifted to defensive midfield from his normal centreback role. The defeat means Mphatlalatsane join Lerotholi, Swallows and Mabeoana on the road down to the first division.

At the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, Likhopo ran out 2-0 victors over already relegated Swallows to move up to sixth place and equal on points with fifth-placed neighbours Matlama.

2010/11 Golden Boot 

13 goals

Thabane Rankara (LCS)      

Mojela Letsie (LDF)

10 goals

Mokhethi Matšora (LMPS)

8 goals

Lawrence Molengoane (LCS)

Jeremia Kamele (Joy)

7 goals

Leboneng Moqecho (Linare)

Tlali Maile (Bantu)

6 goals

Koena Moloi (Maduma)

Mosito Chitja (Maduma)

Lehlohonolo Thakalekoala (LMPS)

Today’s results

Matlama 0-1 LCS, Linare 0-1 LDF, Lioli 2-1 Bantu, Joy 1-0 Mphatlalatsane, Likhopo 2-0 Swallows

Vodacom Premier League

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	LCS	25	15	9	1	42	16	26	54
2	LDF	25	16	6	3	38	18	20	54
3	Bantu	25	13	6	6	34	23	11	45
4	Linare	25	11	8	6	31	22	9	41
5	Matlama	25	9	10	6	23	17	6	37
6	Likhopo	25	10	7	8	26	25	1	37
7	LMPS	25	9	8	8	31	26	5	35
8	Maduma	25	9	8	8	31	33	-2	35
9	Lioli	25	8	9	8	25	22	3	33
10	Joy	25	8	8	9	24	24	0	32
11	Mphatlalatsane	25	4	11	10	27	34	-7	23
12	Lerotholi	25	6	5	14	17	33	-16	23
13	Swallows	25	2	7	16	14	38	-24	13
14	Mabeoana	25	1	6	18	11	43	-32	9