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| Bantu showed their class in Sunday's 4-1 win over Lioli while Tse Nala showed they have plenty of catching up to do |
In every season there always comes a defining
point and the past weekend felt like one in the Econet Premier League. It was
especially so in the title race where Bantu outclassed rivals Lioli 4-1 at
Setsoto Stadium leaving Tse Nala
needing a miracle to stop A Matšo
Matebele from winning the championship again.
At the bottom, Sefotha-fotha all but
secured another season of Econet Premier League football with a 4-0 beat-down
of relegated Sky Battalion while the top four race took another twist with
LDF’s 2-1 win Matlama.
Here are the takeaways from the weekend’s
dramatic action.
Lioli
are further behind Bantu than the league suggests
Lioli’s fall over the past year has been
incredible and, as usual with successful clubs, most of it has been self-inflicted.
Things have been so bad that this feels like a lost season for the five-time
champions who have cycled through three coaches this term.
It all started with a 2-0 loss to LDF in
their first game of the season – a chilling precursor to their campaign. There
was a grumpy vibe in the Lioli squad and Tse
Nala duly bombed at last October’s Independence Cup finishing last.
Halemakale Mahlaha resigned as coach immediately afterwards.
Lioli recovered after appointing Motebang
Makhetha as caretaker coach and, in fact, returned to the top of the league table
in November. However, a 2-1 loss to Bantu in December (which was later
overturned) convinced Lioli’s management the club needed a big name coach and South
African Morena Ramorebodi was hired at the start of 2018.
The former Maluti FET College boss and Bloemfontein
Celtic assistant coach immediately rang the changes in Teyateyaneng. Out went
seven players and in came six new faces. Amongst the players released were key
figures in Tse Nala’s recent title
successes – goalkeeper Mohau Kuenane, striker Maba Junior and midfielder
Motlalepula Mofolo. The changes unsettled Lioli.
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Lioli under
Ramorebodi
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14-01-18
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League
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Matlama
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0-0
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Lioli
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D
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04-02-18
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League
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Lioli
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0-1
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LDF
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L
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10-02-18
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League
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Kick4Life
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1-1
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Lioli
|
D
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18-02-18
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League
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Majantja
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0-1
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Lioli
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W
|
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24-02-18
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LNIG Top 8
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Lioli
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0-1
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LMPS
|
L
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|
03-03-18
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League
|
Lioli
|
1-4
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Matlama
|
L
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11-08-18
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LNIG Top 8
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LMPS
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0-2
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Lioli
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W
|
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18-03-18
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League
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Liphakoe
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0-2
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Lioli
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W
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02-04-18
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League
|
Sky Battalion
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0-4
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Lioli
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W
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07-04-18
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LNIG Top 8
|
Lioli
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0-1
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Matlama
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L
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08-04-18
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LNIG Top 8
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Lioli
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3-2
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LCS
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W
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15-04-18
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League
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Lioli
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1-0
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Likhopo
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W
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29-04-18
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League
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Bantu
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4-1
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Lioli
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L
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The Teyateyaneng giants lost three of
their first six games under Ramorebodi with the nadir being a shambolic 4-1
league loss to rivals Matlama at the beginning of March.
Lioli recovered to win three league
games in a row but Sunday’s loss to Bantu showed just how far behind their
Mafeteng rivals Tse Nala have fallen
in the space of a year. In their biggest game of the year, Lioli were no match
for Bantu as A Matšo Matebele ultimately
did as they pleased. Lioli may be seven points adrift of Bantu on the Econet
Premiership log standings, but in reality they have drifted much further behind
their Mafeteng foes.
Ramorebodi was only hired on a six-month
contract. If he stays in Teyateyaneng
for another season he has plenty of work to do to revive Lioli.
Bantu
need six points to win the league
The most points Lioli can reach at the
end of the season is 53 meaning getting to 54 points will guarantee a second successive
league title for Bantu. The Mafeteng giants have been incredible in 2018.
Since a goalless draw with Sefotha-fotha
at the end of January, Bantu have won seven league matches in a row; the second
best Premiership run of wins in club history.
|
Bantu’s
longest league winning streaks
9
games in 2016/17 (from 17-04-2017 to 15-10-2017)
7
games in 2012/13 (from 27-10-2012 to 17-02-2013)
7 games in
2017/18 (03-02-2018 -)
|
Two more wins would equal the club
record set last season and seal the Econet Premier League title. Bantu’s remaining
games, of course, are not a foregone conclusion. Majantja are their only
remaining opponent outside the top five, but such is Bantu’s form, it is
difficult to bet against James Madidilane’s side.
|
Bantu’s remaining games:
Majantja (away)
LCS (home)
Matlama (away)
LDF (away)
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Bantu’s run of
form
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28-01-18
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Sefotha-fotha
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0-0
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Bantu
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D
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03-02-18
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Bantu
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3-1
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Liphakoe
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W
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17-02-18
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Bantu
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4-2
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Linare
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W
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17-03-18
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Bantu
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4-0
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Sky Battalion
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W
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02-04-18
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Bantu
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1-0
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Likhopo
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W
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15-04-18
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Kick4Life
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1-2
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Bantu
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W
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21-04-18
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LMPS
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0-1
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Bantu
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W
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29-04-18
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Bantu
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4-1
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Lioli
|
W
|
 |
| LDF caught Matlama cold... |
Matlama
have to solve LNIG Top 8 hangover or risk top four spot
Matlama won the LNIG Top 8 title three
weeks ago and a quirk of the league schedule – Tse Putsoa having a bye one week then last weekend being set aside
as a catch-up round – saw Matlama not play a game since.
The Pitso Ground side finally returned
to action on Sunday and, granted, it wasn’t the easiest opponent to came back
to – LDF.
Nevertheless, Matlama looked half asleep
in the first half – as if they were still partying the night before – and LDF
happily took advantage to grab a 2-0 lead within 22 minutes. Tse Putsoa recovered somewhat in the
second half but it wasn’t enough as the match ended 2-1.
|
Matlama starting line-up v LDF:
1. Ramalefane Monaheng
2. Maluleka Khotso
3. Mokokoane Rethabile
4. Nyakro Patrick
5. Ohene Michael
6. Lillane Teboho
7. Mosehlanyane Lebajoa
8. Potloane Mabuti
9. Sera Motebang
10. Tšosane Phafa
11. Thaba-Ntšo Jane
Subs:
12. Rankhasa Nkesi
13. Moleko Katleho
14. Mahula Kefuoe
15. Ramabele Lehlomela
16. Lebokollane Lisema
17. Mareka Matebele
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While it is a longshot Matlama won’t
finish in the top four, Sunday’s result leaves Tse Putsoa just three points above fifth-placed Kick4Life.
Clearly, finishing in the top four is
not yet guaranteed.
Mosito Matela’s charges still need to
face Kick4Life and Bantu and also have to travel to Mohale’s Hoek to face
Majantja. After the deserved celebrations of ending an eight-year trophy
drought, Matlama need to refocus or risk spoiling that worthy achievement.
LDF
and LCS finally catching fire
LDF’s 2-1 win over Matlama was their
third victory in the space of a week after they beat Kick4Life last Saturday
and Majantja in midweek. LDF’s goals against Matlama were scored by Paul Moloi
and Thabo Monaoli and they lifted Sohle-Sohle
back into fourth place above Kick4Life.
|
LDF starting line-up v Matlama:
1. Mphuthing Likano
2. Moloi Paul
3. Mokapane Tšolo
4. Chaba Tšeliso
5. Matli Matli
6. Mofolo Lepheane
7. Monaoli Thabo
8. Letlatsa Moshoeshoe
9. Rabi Thabang
10. Toloane Tšepo
11. Mohloai Koete
Subs:
12. Ratibisi Teboho
13. Tometsi Tankiso
14. Lebesa Lebesa
15. Phera Tšeliso
16. Ngoae Lefa
17. Lebata Tšepo
18. Moabi Tsie
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LDF haven’t finished in the top four
since coming third in the 2012/13 season which is the longest drought in club
history. Their recent winning streak has put Motheo Mohapi’s side in the driver’s
seat to end that run.
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LDF winning streak
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21-04-18
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LDF
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2-1
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Kick4Life
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W
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25-04-18
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Majantja
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0-2
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LDF
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W
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29-04-18
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LDF
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2-1
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Matlama
|
W
|
Another fallen giant is LCS and although
not as high profile as LDF’s, Masheshena
also claimed an important three points by beating Likhopo 2-0 on Sunday. With
the win LCS are four points behind LDF and they have given themselves an outside
chance of finishing in the top four.
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LCS winning streak
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31-03-18
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Linare
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0-4
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LCS
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W
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22-04-18
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LCS
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4-1
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Sky Battalion
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W
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29-04-18
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Likhopo
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0-2
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LCS
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W
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Both LDF (eight-time champions) and LCS
(six-time champions) have had underwhelming seasons by the clubs’ historically high
standards. However, their recent winning runs have at least given them a shot
of ending the 2017/18 Econet Premiership campaign on a high.
Sefotha-fotha
have all but sealed survival
Sefotha-fotha have been the underdog in almost
every game they have played this season with Sunday’s game against relegated
Sky Battalion being the rare exception. The new boys took full advantage to win
4-0, a victory which has all but secured their place in the top-flight for
another year.
One more win for 11th-placed Sefotha-fotha
would confirm their Econet Premier League survival and condemn 12th-placed Likhopo
to the end of season relegation-promotion playoffs against A-Division runners
up Ketane and Lithabaneng Golden.
Weekend
Results:
Saturday
Kick4Life 4-1 Majantja
Linare 0-2 LMPS
Sunday
Likhopo 0-2 LCS
LDF 2-1 Matlama
Bantu 4-1 Lioli
Sky Battalion 0-4 Sefotha-fotha
Econet
Premier League standings:
|
|
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts.
|
|
1
|
Bantu
|
20
|
15
|
3
|
2
|
40
|
13
|
27
|
48
|
|
2
|
Lioli
|
20
|
12
|
5
|
3
|
33
|
17
|
16
|
41
|
|
3
|
Matlama
|
20
|
10
|
6
|
4
|
26
|
16
|
10
|
36
|
|
4
|
LDF
|
20
|
9
|
7
|
4
|
25
|
17
|
8
|
34
|
|
5
|
Kick4Life
|
21
|
9
|
6
|
6
|
30
|
19
|
11
|
33
|
|
6
|
LCS
|
20
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
24
|
15
|
9
|
30
|
|
7
|
LMPS
|
20
|
7
|
6
|
7
|
20
|
20
|
0
|
27
|
|
8
|
Linare
|
21
|
8
|
4
|
9
|
21
|
29
|
-8
|
25
|
|
9
|
Majantja
|
20
|
6
|
6
|
8
|
19
|
23
|
-4
|
24
|
|
10
|
Liphakoe
|
20
|
7
|
3
|
10
|
19
|
25
|
-6
|
24
|
|
11
|
Sefotha-fotha
|
20
|
4
|
9
|
7
|
18
|
26
|
-8
|
21
|
|
12
|
Likhopo
|
21
|
3
|
5
|
13
|
12
|
30
|
-18
|
14
|
|
R
|
Sky Battalion
|
21
|
0
|
2
|
19
|
5
|
42
|
-37
|
-4
|
·
Linare
docked 3 points for late registration
·
Sky
Battalion docked 6 points for late registration
·
Bantu
docked 3 points and 3 goals
·
Lioli
awarded 3 points and 3 goals