After two months of tedious
waiting the Vodacom Premier League finally kicks off this weekend. The race for
Lesotho
There’s
change to the top division. The Vodacom Premier League is now a 14-team
division after Nyenye Rovers and Mpharane Celtic survived relegation playoffs
and Melele and Mphatlalatsane gained automatic promotion from the First
Division. It should be interesting…
The favourites
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| Champions! Lioli are going for a repeat |
Lioli
have spent big in the off-season adding seven new faces to the squad. Jeremia
Kamela, Basia Makepe, Kopano Tseka, Lekhanya Lekhanya, Nkoto Masoabi, Tokelo
Majoro and Themba Mzamane have all arrived as the champions look to ensure the
title stays in Teyateyaneng. Lioli perhaps rode their fortune last season as
Bantu let the league slip away, but this season Tse Nala look like the outright favourites for the title.
They
have added serious quality to their squad. Kamela, the heir apparent to Bokang
Mothoana on the left for Lesotho
Prediction: 1st
Bantu
Last
season feels like it was Bantu’s best chance to win the first-ever title in
club history. Bantu were in the driving seat for much of the campaign but a late
season collapse saw them gift the title to Lioli. This year they have lost
their premier attacking talent, Litsepe Marabe, who has joined United FC in South Africa
2nd
LCS
LCS,
as always, are counted as amongst the favourites thanks to their recent history;
Masheshena have won four of the last
seven league titles. LCS are a well-organised club and are the only team in Lesotho
However,
their squad is ageing and LCS haven’t revitalised the group so far this
transfer window. They will also have a new coach with Katiso Mojakhomo returning
to lead the team. Mojakhomo is well versed in the Masheshena ways having led the side to titles in 2006/07 and
2007/08. But he has a job on his hands to return LCS to the top again.
3rd
Outsiders
LDF
LDF
are similar to LCS but they haven’t won the league since 2004 and aren’t the
same scary proposition they used to be. LDF have the consistency to stay in the
hunt; they finished third last season and haven’t finished outside the top four
for over a decade. However, Sohle-Sohle
don’t have the firepower to make the leap onto the winners’ podium.
4th
Linare
Linare
are a few signings away from being a title contender. They have had a promising
pre-season, beating Lioli and Matlama en route to winning the Kings Cup. Tse Tala have also managed to retain the
services of captain Mabuti Potloane who was coveted by Lioli. He has grown into
a game-breaker of note and a regular in the Likuena squad. Tse Tala have also acquired the firepower of Lebajoa Mosehlanyane
from Mpharane Celtic. However, Linare still lack the championship experience to
compete with what is beginning to feel like an established top four of Lioli,
Bantu, LCS and LDF.
5th
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| Like for like Both LDF (in yellow) and LMPS are outsiders |
LMPS
are similar to LDF and they will once again be relying on old stagers such
Bokang Mohasi and Shetsane Ramoseeka. Simunye
are a hard nut to crack but lack the creativity and guile to unlock opponents.
Another top-six finish seems the best LMPS can hope for.
6th
No man’s land
Matlama
Matlama’s
story, as is often the case at this time of the year, is a crazy one. Champions
three years ago and Lesotho
7th
Likhopo
Likhopo,
champions in 2005 and 2006, have stagnated over the last few years. They are
losing Thapelo Tale who is set to join Santos in
South Africa
Likhopo,
as always, have several young gems that can embarrass any team on their day.
But Likhopo’s days as a contending team, at least for now, seem over.
8th
Qoaling Highlanders
Qoaling
Highlanders performed admirably in their first ever top-flight campaign last season.
And after weathering that first season storm Highlanders look equipped to
remain in the Premier League for a while. Certainly they have hit the jackpot with
the expansion of the league – there are several worse sides than them.
Highlanders also have their own positives – an intimidating home venue teams
don’t like visiting and a football mad neighbourhood with talented players
wishing to play for the hood team.
Highlanders should have another decent season.
9th
Mphatlalatsane
Newly-promoted
Mphatlalatsane have had a solid pre-season which included competitive workouts
against LCS and Likhopo. They are well-organised off the field and well
prepared on it. Mphatlalatsane won’t raise many roofs but they are solid enough
to stay in the division.
10th
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| No man's land... Matlama |
Joy
Joy
have lost their biggest assets – Jeremia Kamela and Basia Makepe – and look set
to struggle this season. The last three seasons have each turned into
nail-biting relegation battles for the Sebothoane side. This coming campaign is
set to be their toughest since promotion to the top-flight in 2007.
11th
Nyenye Rovers
Nyenye
Rovers kept their Vodacom Premier League status only after a
promotion-relegation playoff win over Rovers. Things don’t look much brighter
this season for the Leribe side. Their only saving grace may be their home
form.
12th
Mpharane Celtic
Like
Nyenye Rovers, Celtic survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last
season beating Sefothafotha in a playoff. They will struggle again. Celtic have
lost their main attacking threat in Lebajoa Mosehlanyane and don’t have the easiest
start playing against Lioli on the opening weekend. It’s not looking good.
13th
Melele
The
new-boys have a very difficult task on their hands. Yes, teams won’t look
forward to the scenic but arduous trip to Qacha’s Nek. However, Melele simply
don’t have the quality to aim for anything other than survival. The first few
weeks are crucial to Melele’s hopes.
14th
Opening Weekend
Saturday, 24 August
Linare
v LMPS
LCS
v Joy
Sunday, 25 August
Lioli
v Mpharane Celtic
Matlama
v Mphatlalatsane
Bantu
v Qoaling Highlanders
Nyenye
Rovers v Melele
LDF
v Likhopo
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