Week 3 Preview - A big weekend in the Econet Premier League

After their titanic clash last weekend Bantu and Lioli each
have important assignments in Week 3...

Week 3 of the 2018/19 Econet Premier is a big one. Although it is still early in the season, it is important for teams not to get left behind while, on the other hand, the opportunity to pull away from the field can’t be overlooked.

Here is a look at the biggest games of Week 3.

LDF v Bantu (Saturday, Setsoto Stadium)

Bantu face LDF on Saturday in an early test of character for the champions. A Matšo Matebele are yet to hit their stride this season, drawing with Sefotha-fotha in their opening game and then losing to rivals Lioli last weekend.

James Madidilane’s side will be starting to feel the pressure to register a win and they face an LDF outfit enjoying its healthiest moment in some time.

Last season LDF finished third in the Econet Premier League, their first top four finish since the 2012/13 campaign.

Confident from that improvement, Sohle-Sohle coach Motheo Mohapi believes LDF should be looking to challenge for their first title since 2004.

LDF have certainly done a good job of adding quality to their squad over the past two years. Tšepo Toloane, Lepheana Mofolo, Thabang Rabi and Likano Mphuthi all earned Lesotho call-ups this year for their fine form.

The army side will likely sit back against Bantu and force the champions to take the game to them. A point, at the end of the day, is OK for Sohle-Sohle, not so much for Bantu.

That is why Bantu’s struggling offence is crucial in Saturday’s clash. Can the Mafeteng giants find their offensive groove after scoring one goal in their first two games? Last season Bantu overwhelmed teams with their attacking quality and scored a league-high 45 goals in 24 games.

An efficient offence will be key against LDF and going forward.

At least Bantu can lean on a remarkable recent record against Sohle-Sohle.

A Matšo Matebele have won eight of the last 11 meetings between the sides. In fact, the last time LDF beat Bantu was a 2-1 win way back in April 2013.

Bantu’s league dominance over LDF:
10-05-18	LDF	1-2	Bantu	W
21-10-17	Bantu	1-1	LDF	D
04-03-17	Bantu	1-0	LDF	W
13-11-16	LDF	0-3	Bantu	W
14-05-16	LDF	1-2	Bantu	W
29-08-15	Bantu	1-1	LDF	D
11-04-15	LDF	1-2	Bantu	W
23/11/14	Bantu	3-1	LDF	W
08/03/14	Bantu	1-1	LDF	D
10/11/13	LDF	0-2	Bantu	W
20/04/13	LDF	1-0	Bantu	L

Lioli v Sefotha-fotha (Saturday, Setsoto Stadium)

Lioli are on a high after beating Bantu last time out. Tse Nala, however, run into a potential roadblock against Sefotha-fotha.

Sefotha-fotha have already drawn with Bantu and Matlama and will be confident they can complete a treble against Lioli.

Even with their win over Bantu, there are still question marks surrounding Lioli’s ability to create chances.

Lioli’s two goals this season have come from the penalty spot and a late moment of brilliance from defender Mafa Moremoholo. It is no guarantee Tse Nala get the better of Sefotha-fotha.

LMPS v Kick4Life (Sunday, Setsoto Stadium)

LMPS are the early Econet Premier League pacesetters after two wins from two games but they still have to prove how strong they really are.

On paper LMPS boast a quality side, starting with a Likuena central defence of Nkau Lerotholi and Basia Makepe. At the other end there is the exceptional Tšepo Seturumane. The question is whether LMPS, seventh place finishers last season, can put it all together when it counts and mount a consistent title challenge.

Kick4Life, on the other hand, don’t look much different under new coach Bob Mafoso in that they remain organised and difficult to break down. There is, however, an exciting infusion of youth with Lesotho junior internationals Bonang Mohapi and Tšeliso Botsane leading the brigade.

Kick4Life, who have finished fourth and sixth over the past two seasons, have enough quality to change for the title – as illustrated by their 2-1 opening weekend win over Lioli.

With champions Bantu and Lioli not yet in top gear, the league title may be open.

A win for either LMPS or Kick4Life would be an early statement of intent.

Can Lebajoa Mosehlenyane and Matlama find their mojo against Likhopo?

Matlama v Likhopo (Sunday, Setsoto Stadium)

The Maseru derby between Matlama and Likhopo has importance at both ends of the Econet Premier League table.

Matlama came into this season claiming a title challenge and they started like a house on fire with a 4-0 demolition of Linare on the opening weekend.

But Tse Putsoa hit a speed bump last weekend in a 1-1 draw with Sefotha-fotha. Sunday’s tie against Likhopo is interesting to see if last week’s result was just a blip or a sign of Matlama’s inconsistencies once again being an Achilles heel. The 2018 LNIG Top 8 champions haven’t been able to maintain a league title challenge for the past two seasons because Tse Putsoa can be world-beaters one week and drop points the next.

Likhopo, for their part, are already looking over their shoulders and at the relegation zone. The 2005 and 2006 champions lost their opening two games and another loss to Matlama would not be a good sign for a team that only survived relegation last season thanks to a Premier League-First Division playoff.

Week 3 Fixtures:

Saturday:

Lioli v Sefotha-fotha (13:00, Setsoto Stadium)

LDF v Bantu (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)

LMPS v Kick4Life (15:00, PTC)

Sunday:

LCS v Majantja (13:00, Setsoto Stadium)

Matlama v Likhopo (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)

Liphakoe v Galaxy (15:00, Quthing Pitso Ground)

Linare v Swallows (15:00, Maputsoe DiFAStadium)

Econet Premier League Standings:

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	LMPS	2	2	0	0	2	0	2	6
2	Matlama	2	1	1	0	5	1	4	4
3	LCS	2	1	1	0	4	2	2	4
4	Kick4Life	2	1	1	0	2	1	1	4
5	Swallows	2	1	1	0	2	1	1	4
6	LDF	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	4
7	Lioli	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3
8	Liphakoe	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3
9	Linare	2	1	0	1	3	6	-3	3
10	Sefotha-fotha	2	0	2	0	2	2	0	2
11	Bantu	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1
12	Likhopo	2	0	0	2	3	5	-2	0
13	Majantja	2	0	0	2	0	2	-2	0
14	Galaxy	2	0	0	2	1	4	-3	0