Alliance Winter Challenge to take centre stage this weekend

Matlama will be out to defend their Alliance Winter Challenge crown

The second annual Alliance Winter Challenge will take centre stage this weekend at Setsoto Stadium. The two-day preseason showpiece will feature four of Lesotho’s top clubs. The tournament’s semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final on Sunday.

The high profile off-season competition is sponsored by Alliance Insurance and was inaugurated last year.

It is contested by the three clubs under Alliance’s sponsorship banner which are Matlama, Lioli and LCS. The fourth contender is an invited team.

Last season the special guest was Liphakoe. This year it is Butha-Buthe based Sundawana who have enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past year.

Sundawana will be looking continue that rise when they meet defending champions Matlama in Saturday’s first semi-final at 12:00. Lioli against LCS will then follow at 14:00.

On Sunday, the third-place playoff will played at 13:00 as an appetiser for the final at 15:00.

There is no prize money on offer but the 2016 Alliance Winter Challenge winners will go home with a trophy and gold medals. The two-day gate takings will also be shared equally by the four teams. The entrance fee is M20 for both days.

There is also incentive for the players in the form of awards for the top goalscorer and goalkeeper of the tournament. The man of the match in the final will also receive a trophy. All three awards carry M2 000 prize money.

2016 Alliance Winter Challenge:

Saturday

Matlama v Sundawana (12:00)

Lioli v LCS (14:00)

Sunday

Third-place playoff (13:00)

Final (15:00)