Lioli lose,
Bantu win, Likhopo shine; talking points from an action packed Week 9 in the
Vodacom Premier League…
 |
| The race is on... Lioli and Bantu |
Week 8 Results
Saturday
Sandawana
2-0 Linare
Kick4Life
1-1 LMPS
Sunday
Likila
United 1-2 Matlama
Liphakoe
1-2 Likhopo
Mphatlalatsane
0-2 LCS
Bantu
3-1 Lioli
Rovers v LDF (Unfinished)
Lioli
suffer first defeat in over a year
In the end maybe it had to be Bantu that
ended Lioli’s historic 26-match unbeaten streak in the league. In Lesotho
records have not been kept well so it always difficult to compare and verify
achievements. Even so, Lioli’s run was historic on many levels. To go a year
without losing in league competition is rarely heard of anywhere in the world. To
do it in a league where there’s little consistency in the schedule and quality
of fields is even more impressive. Of those 26 matches, Lioli won 17. They set
a new standard along the way; last season Tse Nala scored 49 goals and conceded
just seven en route to winning the title. But, Bantu seem to have their number.
A Matšo Matebele’s win was their third in the last
three encounters against Lioli. Tse Nala
haven’t registered a win in that period.
Bantu
back in the title race
For Bantu, Sunday was a day of extreme
joy. More importantly, it means they are right back in the title race. Bantu
are now six points off the top of the Vodacom Premier League and have a
realistic chance of challenging for the title once again. They were excellent
on Sunday and showed why they can be a contending team. Their galaxy of stars
stood up. Litšepe Marabe was particularly brilliant in attack and he was
rewarded with a goal. Their midfield dominated proceedings and Bantu were clearly
the better team. The Bantu that showed up on Sunday can win the league.
 |
| Likhopo shining... |
Likhopo
go top
It is difficult to know how long Likhopo
can keep up their form but so far they have been brilliant. Likhopo are now top
of the league thanks to Lioli’s loss. Likhopo are riding the superb form of
Lehlomela Ramabele. Ramabele was on the score-sheet again in the Red Army’s 2-1
win over Liphakoe on Sunday. It was his eighth of the season. In total Likhopo
have scored 14 goals, the most in the league, and their vibrant attack is the
reason they have been this season’s breath of fresh of air.
Elsewhere…
Matlama continued their fine start to
the season with a 2-1 win over Likila United in Butha-Buthe on Sunday.
Considering the long travel, tough conditions and Likila’s recent fine form, it
was another good win for Matlama in what has so far been a successful season. Right
now Matlama appear the title challengers they promised they would be.
2011 and 2012 champions LCS also won on
Sunday comfortably taking care of bottom side Mphatlalatsane 2-0 in Maputsoe. On
the evidence so far it looks like we could be in for a thrilling championship
race. Likhopo, Lioli, Matlama, LCS and Bantu are separated by six points. All
are capable of making a run at the Vodacom Premier League title.
Vodacom Premier
League Table
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
||
1
|
Likhopo
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
14
|
3
|
11
|
17
|
2
|
Lioli
|
7
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
12
|
5
|
7
|
16
|
3
|
Matlama
|
7
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
13
|
7
|
6
|
16
|
4
|
Rovers
|
8
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
14
|
5
|
LCS
|
7
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
13
|
6
|
Sandawana
|
9
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
9
|
10
|
-1
|
12
|
7
|
Bantu
|
7
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
11
|
8
|
Kick4life
|
9
|
2
|
5
|
2
|
7
|
8
|
-1
|
11
|
9
|
Likila
United
|
9
|
3
|
2
|
4
|
9
|
11
|
-2
|
11
|
10
|
Linare
|
9
|
3
|
1
|
5
|
11
|
13
|
-2
|
10
|
11
|
Liphakoe
|
8
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
-4
|
7
|
12
|
LMPS
|
9
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
8
|
12
|
-4
|
6
|
13
|
LDF
|
8
|
0
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
-4
|
5
|
14
|
Mphatlalatsane
|
8
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
3
|
15
|
-12
|
2
|
Correct as of
November 01, 2015
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