#VPL Talking Points – Six Games to Go

After this weekend’s catch-up action all teams in the Vodacom Premier League have now played 20 games. With the final stretch to come, every club has played the same number of games and it’s clear what each need to do. Here are the talking points from the weekend shortened slate of action…

Lioli show why they are champions

Tšoanelo Koetle was brilliant again for Lioli

Lioli have been unconvincing at times in recent weeks but they showed up in a major way yesterday with a 1-0 win over LCS at Setsoto Stadium. Tse Nala were down to ten men for almost the entire game after goalkeeper Liteboho Mokhehle was sent off a minute into match for handling outside of the penalty box.

But, Lioli didn’t waver and early in the second half Nkoto Masoabi scored what turned out to be the winner.

It was a game in which Lioli showed why they are champions. After Mokhehle went off, another Lesotho international keeper in Mohau Kuenane entered the field and played a significant role in securing Lioli’s win. In the middle of the park, Motlalepula Mofolo and Tšoanelo Koetle were immense and, upfront, another Likuena international Masoabi took his chance well to secure the win.

It was a good bounce-back for Lioli after they relinquished the league lead to Matlama last week.  It had been an under-par few weeks for Tse Nala which included elimination from the CAF Champions League. But, now they are two points clear at the top. And, with six games to go, the champions are again in the pounds seats.

LCS miss big chance

While Lioli were celebrating, LCS went home knowing they missed a huge chance grab first place in the Vodacom Premier League. A win would have taken Masheshena to the top but instead they find themselves four points adrift of Lioli and with a mountain to climb if they are to win the championship.

Playing Lioli was always going to be the test for a re-building LCS side. They crept up on the league lead with a seven-match winning streak but many were yet to be convinced of their title pedigree in what is Mpitsa Marai’s first season in charge.

Yesterday showed this young Masheshena side still have work to do. Despite being a man up for pretty much the entire game, LCS were unable to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and they allowed Lioli to settle.

Lioli v LCS recent league meetings

Date	Score
November 10, 2013	LCS 0-1 Lioli
April 21, 2014	Lioli 0-2 LCS
December 3, 2014	LCS 0-2 Lioli
February 8, 2015	Lioli 1-1 LCS
November 8, 2015	LCS 0-0 Lioli
March 20, 2016	LCS 0-1 Lioli

And, oh yes. If the once dominant LCS are to become league winners again, they have to start beating Lioli, something they haven’t done since April 2014.

Will Linare survive relegation?

Chasing shadows... Linare

After a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to Sandawana yesterday, Linare are in serious danger of being relegated.

Indeed, Tse Tala’s only hope right now seems to be that Rovers, who are below them on goal difference, continue their own poor form. Linare haven’t won a league game since beating Likila 1-0 on December 6 and their lack of form makes it difficult to see where their next win will come from, especially as five of their remaining six games are away from home.

Linare’s remaining league fixtures

Liphakoe v Linare LMPS v Linare Bantu v Linare Likila United v Linare Linare v Mphatlalatsane Lioli v Linare

Linare have never been relegated. That proud record is in serious jeopardy.

Vodacom Premier League Results

Sunday 20th March

Likila United 2-0 Likhopo

Lioli 1-0 LCS

Linare 1-2 Sandawana

Vodacom Premier League Table

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	Lioli	20	13	6	1	31	8	23	45
2	Matlama	20	13	4	3	34	19	15	43
3	LCS	20	12	5	3	22	8	14	41
4	Sandawana	20	10	3	7	20	19	1	33
5	Bantu	20	8	5	7	18	11	7	29
6	Likhopo	20	7	7	6	22	16	6	28
7	Kick4Life	20	6	9	5	16	17	-1	27
8	LDF	20	6	8	6	20	18	2	26
9	Liphakoe	20	4	9	7	14	19	-5	21
10	Likila United	20	5	5	10	15	26	-11	20
11	LMPS	20	3	9	8	17	25	-8	18
12	Linare	20	4	5	11	19	26	-7	17
13	Rovers	20	4	5	11	13	25	-12	17
14	Mphatlalatsane	20	2	6	12	16	40	-24	12