 |
| Matlama's Nkau Lerotholi (left) and LDF's Thabo Mphethe |
The
Vodacom Premier League returns this weekend after two-week break for the
Independence Cup and international matches. The pick of the games is the
matchup between rivals LCS and LDF on Sunday, a clash between the league’s
champion and runner-up for the past two seasons.
Both come into
the match on the back of disappointment in the Independence Cup. Both were beaten
by eventual winners Bantu – LDF in the semis and Masheshena in the final.
After an
inauspicious start, drawing 2-2 with Joy, LCS have gone on to win three
consecutive matches to open up a three-point lead at the top of the league. LDF,
on the other hand, have made a solid if unspectacular beginning and lie third
in the league with seven points, three behind LCS.
Two-time
defending champions LCS have won four league titles in the last six seasons.
Even at this early stage, a win over Sohle-Sohle
would lay down the gauntlet for the rest of the season. That said, one of Masheshena’s two league defeats last
season came at the hands of LDF, at Ratjomose.
The match will
be the second of a double header at Ratjomose. In the earlier game, Linare face
struggling LMPS. Simunye are the only
side in the league without a win while Linare are second after scoring eight
goals in their opening four games.
On Saturday,
newly-promoted Nyenye Rovers and Qoaling Highlanders face Likhopo and Lioli
respectively while Matlama host Joy at Pitso Ground.
In Sunday’s other match, recently crowned Independence Cup champions
Bantu host Mpharane Celtic. A Matลกo Matebele have made a slow start to the season and lie in
10th place. They will be looking to kick-start their league campaign on the
back of their morale-boosting cup triumph.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday, 20 October
Nyenye
Rovers v Likhopo (St
Michaels, 15:00), Matlama v Joy
(Pitso Ground, 15:30), Lioli v Qoaling
Highlanders (Lioli Stadium, 15:30)
Sunday, 21 October
Bantu v Mpharane Celtic (Mafeteng,
15:00), LMPS v Linare
(Ratjomose, 13:30), LDF v LCS
(Ratjomose, 15:30)
Vodacom Premier League
|
|
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
|
1
|
LCS
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
7
|
4
|
3
|
10
|
|
2
|
Linare
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
4
|
4
|
7
|
|
3
|
LDF
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
|
4
|
Lioli
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
|
5
|
Likhopo
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
6
|
|
6
|
Nyenye Rovers
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
5
|
-1
|
5
|
|
7
|
Joy
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
9
|
11
|
-2
|
5
|
|
8
|
Qoaling Highlanders
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
7
|
-2
|
4
|
|
9
|
Matlama *
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
|
10
|
Bantu
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
3
|
|
11
|
Mpharane Celtic
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
10
|
-6
|
3
|
|
12
|
LMPS
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
4
|
-4
|
1
|
*
Matlama docked 3 points
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