ThrowbackThursday - The day Swallows dented Lioli’s title dreams

Mosioua Boseka (centre) celebrates his winner against Loili

With the Vodacom Premier League reaching its conclusion on Saturday, this week’s #TBT is a throwback to a game that changed the 2009/10 title race. Just as this year, the 2009/10 championship contest was also a head-to-head battle between Lioli and Matlama.

The match in question was played in Mazenod on February 20, 2010. It was between hosts Swallows and visiting Lioli who, then as now, were reigning champions.

The week leading up to the game had seen some controversy thanks to the Premier league’s decision to award Matlama three points and three goals for an abandoned fixture against Rovers in Roma from the previous weekend.

That verdict moved Tse Putsoa three points ahead of Lioli at the top of the league.

Now in second place, Lioli travelled to a relegation-threatened Swallows side that had not won since December needing a win to claim top spot.

Lioli, with their obvious quality advantage, duly controlled the game.

However, try as they might, Tse Nala couldn’t find a way past inspired Swallows keeper Thulo Ramasele. Lehlohonolo Mpopo, Malebanye Ramoabi and Seenyane Nthejane were all guilty of missing guilt-edged chances as Lioli huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the Swai-swai house down.

In an almost theatrical way, Lioli’s wastefulness was punished by a moment of brilliance five minutes from time.

In the 85th minute Lioli gave away a needless free-kick outside the box to the delight of the home fans.

Up stepped young Swallows midfielder Mosiuoa Boseka and, without warning, he fired a magnificent left-footed strike into Isaiah Mosala’s top corner to give the home side a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish.

It was a stunning goal and a stunning outcome.

And, Lioli never fully recovered from that damaging week.

Tse Nala did beat a hapless Majantja 3-0 in Teyateyaneng in their next match but the following weekend Lioli lost 3-1 at home to LMPS in what was a devastating loss.

Lioli defeated Matlama 2-0 in an end of season showdown but in the end Matlama won the league by four points. Ultimately, it was the losses to Swallows and LMPS that came back to haunt Tse Nala the most. #TBT

Throwback

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Mazenod, Maseru

Swallows         (0) 1

Lioli                (0) 0

Goals: 1-0 Boseka 85’