LCS win Alliance Winter Challenge, KTA claim Winter Tournament

Preseason success for LCS

LCS made a good start to their 2016/17 season plans with victory in the second annual Alliance Winter Challenge this weekend at Setsoto Stadium. Masheshena beat Matlama 2-1 in the final thanks to a brace from Motiki Mohale and, in the process, picked up the first piece of silverware in the Mpitsa Marai era, albeit a preseason one.

LCS had beaten Lioli 6-5 on penalties in the semi-finals on Saturday after the game had ended goalless after normal time but they still went into the final against Matlama as underdogs.

However, Masheshena showed the growth they have made since Marai took over as coach last May as they deservedly beat Tse Putsoa in an entertaining final. For Matlama it was disappointment as they failed to defend their Alliance Winter Challenge title.

Nonetheless, Tse Putsoa will be pleased with the run-out and the signs that their stars still shines brightly as shown by Jane Thaba-Ntšo’s brilliant goal in the final.

Before the final, Lioli bounced back from their Saturday defeat to LCS to beat Sundawana 1-0 in the third place-playoff thanks to goal from Tšoanelo Koetle.

#AllianceWinterChallenge results: Semi-finals: Matlama 1-1 Sundawana (Matlama won 6-5 on penalties), Lioli 0-0 LCS (LCS 5-4 on penalties) Third-place playoff: Sundawana 0-1 Lioli Final: LCS 2-1 Matlama

To basketball and Lesotho champions KTA All Stars picked up where they left off last season by winning the Winter Tournament at Lehakoe Club this weekend.

KTA won the national championship in June and they tasted success again by beating Lichocha Shooting Rifles 49-45 in the final of the two-day preseason competition.

Both KTA and Lichocha were the cream of the competition with KTA overpowering Bashana Baheso 63-44 while Lichocha dispatched Bokamoso South 84-72 in the semi-finals. KTA beat Bashana Baheso. Ultimately though, the experienced KTA were ultimately too strong for Lichocha in Sunday’s final.

Lichocha basketball club did have something to celebrate though as the women’s team went one better than the men’s side by beating Bokamoso 35-31 in a close ladies final.

KTA and Lichocha won M3000 in airtime prizes from sponsors Vodacom Lesotho for winning the respective men’s and women’s tournaments.

Winter Tournament results

Men: KTA All Stars 49-45 Lichocha Shooting Rifles

Ladies: Lichocha Shooting Rifles 35-31 Bokamoso

Most Valuable Player awards

Men: Khotso Maseela (Lichocha Shooting Rifles)

Ladies: Relebohile Lebatla (Lichocha Shooting Rifles)