 |
| Team on fire... Matlama |
This weekend’s round of Econet Premier
League action was one of the most thrilling of the season. In fact, with 15
goals scored in five games, it was the most prolific weekend of the campaign.
Here are the talking points from what was another fascinating serving of Econet
Premiership action.
Matlama
show newfound firepower
When Matlama were putting together their
impressive revival under Mosito Matela towards the end of the season’s first
round, the only thing lacking was the firepower to score goals.
Despite climbing from the bottom half
all the way into the top three, Tse
Putsoa had only scored 10 goals in their first 11 Econet Premier League games.
The team’s offence, therefore, was one
of Matela’s main areas of focus during the December mid-season break and Matlama
dipped into the transfer market to add Lesotho internationals Lehlomela
Ramabele and Katleho Moleko.
Although both signings are yet to hit
top form, they have added competition and options in attack. The league’s
return from the mid-season break has coincided with the Pitso Ground side
looking more dangerous in the final third. Top strikers Motebang Sera and
Nzenze Nkulu are reenergised and Tse
Putsoa have scored 11 goals in their last six league games.
Matlama’s last six league games
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||||
21/01/18
|
Matlama
|
1-0
|
LDF
|
W
|
28/01/18
|
Liphakoe
|
1-3
|
Matlama
|
W
|
03/02/18
|
Matlama
|
1-1
|
Linare
|
D
|
10/02/18
|
Sky Battalion
|
0-2
|
Matlama
|
W
|
18/02/18
|
Matlama
|
0-1
|
Likhopo
|
L
|
03/03/18
|
Lioli
|
1-4
|
Matlama
|
W
|
The most vivid evidence of Matlama’s
improved attack was seen in Saturday’s emphatic win over Lioli as Matela’s side
came from a goal down to hammer their rivals 4-1.
Matlama
line-up v LCS
|
1. Kananelo Makhooane
2. Mohai Mohai 3. Nkesi Rankhasa 4. Patrick Nyango 5. Lisema Lebokollane 6. Teboho Lillane 7. Lebajoa Mosehlenyane 8. Mabuti Potloane 9. Phafa Tšosane 10. Nzenze Nkulu 11. Jane Thabantso |
Tse
Putsoa
are up to second place in the league, four points behind leaders Bantu but
having played two games more. Clearly, even with their brilliant win over
Lioli, winning the league remains a long-shot. But Matlama’s newfound firepower
is a big boost for their hopes of finishing in the top two and making some
noise in the LNIG Top 8.
Kick4Life
back in top four
 |
| Striker on fire.. Kick4Life's Nkoto Masoabi |
Kick4Life are back in the top four after
recovering wobbly start to the season. At the turn of the year Leslie Notši’s
side sat seventh in the Econet Premier League having collected just 15 points
from their opening 10 games. After the weekend they are fourth with 27 points
from 17 games.
Only Bantu have a better record over the
past five games.
Form guide –
last five games
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||||||||
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
Pts.
|
||
1
|
Bantu
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
13
|
6
|
13
|
2
|
Kick4Life
|
5
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
9
|
2
|
10
|
3
|
Matlama
|
5
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
10
|
4
|
10
|
During that five-game period Kick4Life
have only conceded twice. Equally important has been the return to form of
Nkoto Masoabi. The Likuena striker has scored five goals in 2018, the most in
the league since the turn of the year. Kick4Life are also getting contributions
from midfield with Bonang Mohapi, for example, scoring in his last two outings.
If their attack can match up to their defence
it makes Kick4Life very tough to beat. Last season when Kick4Life finished in the
top four it was viewed as a minor miracle. Now expectations are higher and
another top four finish would confirm Kick4Life’s addition into the Lesotho’s elite
clubs.
LMPS
are silently having a good season
LMPS’s 1-0 win over LDF on Sunday means
they are unbeaten in all competitions in 2018. Once again Ntebele Taole – the
last man to lead Matlama to a trophy – is working his magic.
LMPS also secretly have one of the most
talented squads in the country headlined by a national team worthy backline of
Nkau Lerotholi and Basia Makepe and spearheaded by two of Lesotho’s best
attacking talents in Tšepo Seturumane and Roboama Koloti.
 |
| Defender on fire?... LMPS's Nkau Lerotholi (left) |
On Sunday, LMPS handed LDF only their
second home loss of the season.
Although they are seventh, Simunye are five points behind
fourth-placed Kick4Life with two games in hand which mathematically puts them right
in touch of finishing in the top four something LMPS haven’t achieved since the
2009/10 season when they finished third.
The potential top four quest is part of a
potentially exciting end to the campaign for Simunye.
Two weeks ago LMPS shocked Lioli in the
first leg of the LNIG Top 8 quarterfinals and carry a 1-0 advantage which they
will be confident of defending thanks to their good form and Lioli’s woes.
This could still turn into a very good
season for LMPS and you wouldn’t bet against Taole leading them to it.
Majantja
show they are tough to beat in Mohale’s Hoek
Majantja overran LCS 2-0 on Sunday in a
clinical display.
It was another strong performance in
Mohale’s Hoek for a Majantja side that has been tough to beat at home this
season. Majantja have only lost once in their last five home games.
Majantja’s last five home games
|
||||
02/12/17
|
Majantja
|
2-1
|
Liphakoe
|
W
|
21/01/18
|
Majantja
|
1-1
|
Kick4Life
|
D
|
04/02/18
|
Majantja
|
0-0
|
Sky Battalion
|
D
|
18/02/18
|
Majantja
|
0-1
|
Lioli
|
L
|
04/03/18
|
Majantja
|
0-1
|
LCS
|
W
|
Their win over Masheshena came courtesy of a brace from in-form striker Keketso
Synders who scored twice to take his tally to three goals in 2018 and it takes
the Econet Premier League new boys up to sixth place.
Majantja
line-up v LCS
|
1.
Sello Adams
2. Kopano Mohau 3. Liteboho Nkune 4. Tieho Molupe 5. Lepolesa Thabo Tekane 6. Keketso Kofi Tlhaba 7. Joseph Phike 8. Selialia Mohapi 9. Keketso Snyders 10. Kheleli Kheleli 11. Zane Musa |
Refreshing
rain of goals
 |
| Striker catching fire... Matlama's Motebang Sera |
This weekend saw fans at all Econet
Premiership ground witness goals which is always a good thing.
In total, there were 15 goals scored, 19
if you count the 3-1 lead for Liphakoe over Likhopo on Saturday before their
match was called off because of heavy rains.
It was the highest scoring weekend of
the season with thrills from Maputsoe to Mohale’s Hoek. It remains to be seen
if the uptick in goals will continue as the Econet Premier League season enters
crunch time.
Econet
Premier League results:
Saturday
Kick4Life 5-0 Sefotha-fotha
Lioli 1-4 Matlama
Likhopo v Liphakoe (game abandoned
because of heavy rain with Liphakoe leading 3-1)
Sunday
Sky Battalion 0-2 Linare
LDF 0-1 LMPS
Majantja 2-0 LCS
Econet Premier
League standings:
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts.
|
||
1
|
Bantu
|
15
|
11
|
3
|
1
|
30
|
9
|
+21
|
36
|
2
|
Matlama
|
17
|
9
|
5
|
3
|
21
|
10
|
+11
|
32
|
3
|
Lioli
|
16
|
8
|
5
|
3
|
23
|
15
|
+8
|
29
|
4
|
Kick4Life
|
17
|
7
|
6
|
4
|
22
|
13
|
+9
|
27
|
5
|
LDF
|
17
|
6
|
7
|
4
|
19
|
15
|
+4
|
25
|
6
|
Majantja
|
17
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
16
|
16
|
0
|
23
|
7
|
LMPS
|
15
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
16
|
15
|
+1
|
22
|
8
|
LCS
|
16
|
5
|
6
|
5
|
12
|
11
|
+1
|
21
|
9
|
Linare
|
17
|
7
|
3
|
7
|
19
|
22
|
-3
|
21
|
10
|
Liphakoe
|
16
|
6
|
1
|
9
|
15
|
22
|
-7
|
19
|
11
|
Sefotha-fotha
|
16
|
3
|
7
|
6
|
10
|
21
|
-11
|
16
|
12
|
Likhopo
|
16
|
3
|
4
|
9
|
11
|
22
|
-11
|
13
|
13
|
Sky
Battalion
|
17
|
0
|
2
|
15
|
4
|
26
|
-22
|
-4
|
·
Linare docked 3
points for late registration
·
Sky Battalion
docked 6 points for late registration
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