Lesotho Premier League: Yes, Bantu are top

Plenty to celebrate for Bantu

Finally some clarity; Bantu are top of the Vodacom Premier League. The league can carry on in peace, we hope.

It has been confirmed; Bantu have been awarded a 3-0 win over Matlama for a match between the two was called-off in September because Matlama couldn’t produce player cards. Tse Putsoa had been docked three points over the incident but they’ve been given the points back.

For the moment Matlama’s activities have been suspended because they have been embroiled in a fresh scandal, this time involving the league’s sponsors and the association.

But that’s Matlama for you.

To the action and Likhopo did Lioli a massive favour by holding Bantu to a goalless draw on Saturday. The result means Bantu have 29 points, two ahead of Lioli, at the top of the league. After the 3-0 award for the Matlama game A Matšo Matebele also have a goal difference four better than Lioli, but at least for Tse Nala Bantu haven’t been able to establish a four-point gap as had been expected.

The two meet on April 7 at the newly-opened Leshoboro Seeiso Stadium in Mafeteng in what is already looking like the title decider.

LDF, though, still want a say in the title race and they hang by the leaders’ coat-tails thanks to a 1-0 win over LMPS. Sohle-Sohle are third with 23 points.

Champions LCS will count themselves in the race too. Masheshena were not in action this weekend as they were on Caf Champions League duty. LCS will be encouraged by their brave display against Dynamos in which they launched a spirited late fight only to fall short. Masheshena beat Dynamos 1-0 yesterday at Setsoto, but went out after losing the first leg 3-0.

Behind LCS in the league are Linare after the Leribe side beat Mpharane Celtic 3-0 to record their second win in three games. Tse Tala’s title hopes may have long since evaporated but they still have a shot at a top four place.

In the weekend’s other game Joy notched their first victory since October 27 with a 3-1 win over Qoaling Highlanders. The win relieves pressure after a seriously shaky run.

Joy are now six points above the team occupying the last relegation place, and that happens to be Lesotho’s grandest club – Matlama.

Results

Saturday, 2 March 

Likhopo 0-0 Bantu

LDF 1-0 LMPS

Joy 3-1 Qoaling Highlanders

Linare 3-0 Mpharane Celtic

Vodacom Premier League

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Bantu	13	9	2	2	26	11	15	29
2	Lioli	13	8	3	2	17	6	11	27
3	LDF	13	6	5	2	18	9	9	23
4	LCS	11	6	2	3	13	10	3	20
5	Linare	13	5	4	4	16	10	6	19
6	LMPS	14	5	2	7	9	10	-1	17
7	Joy	12	4	4	4	18	20	-2	16
8	Likhopo	14	4	2	8	9	14	-5	14
9	Mpharane Celtic	14	3	4	7	18	32	-14	13
10	Qoaling Highlanders	13	3	3	7	9	17	-8	12
11	Matlama	10	3	1	6	11	15	-4	10
12	Nyenye Rovers	13	1	6	7	8	19	-11	9