Econet Premier League Power Rankings - Bantu still the team to beat?

Bantu are champions but Matlama are top of the Econet Premier League...
who is the team to beat?

Seven rounds have gone in the Econet Premier League which means this weekend we officially enter the second quarter of the 2018/19 season.

To say it has been an interesting season would be an understatement.

This is the most unpredictable start to a league campaign in recent memory with champions Bantu and rivals Lioli both outside the top four at this stage of a season for the first time since 2012.

What better time then to have this season’s first Power Rankings – just before this weekend’s Week 8 and the start of the second quarter of the campaign.

These Econet Premier League Power Rankings are meant to rate the strength of each team and predict their performance for the rest of the season regardless of current league standing.

The debates begin!

Econet Premier League Standings:

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1	Matlama	7	5	2	0	16	2	14	17
2	LCS	7	5	1	1	17	5	12	16
3	LDF	7	4	2	1	5	4	1	14
4	Linare	7	4	1	2	9	9	0	13
5	Bantu	7	3	3	1	8	3	5	12
6	Liphakoe	7	3	2	2	6	5	1	11
7	Lioli	7	3	1	3	6	6	0	10
8	LMPS	7	3	1	3	4	4	0	10
9	Sefotha-fotha	7	1	3	3	3	7	-4	6
10	Kick4Life	7	1	3	3	2	7	-5	6
11	Swallows	7	1	3	3	4	10	-6	6
12	Galaxy	7	1	2	4	4	6	-2	5
13	Majantja	7	1	1	5	4	11	-7	4
14	Likhopo	7	1	1	5	7	16	-9	4

... it must be Bantu, for now...

1. Bantu

The two-time defending champions are still the team to beat until further notice.

Yes, Bantu are fifth in the Econet Premier League and, yes, they are yet to find consistent form this season.

Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Liphakoe was another case of dropped points for A Matšo Matebele who have already dropped nine points in seven games after dropping 16 in the whole of last season.

These are concerns because championship hangovers are very real. It is difficult enough to win a title and defend it. But to win a championship three times in a row requires a rare level of commitment which is why it has only been done once in the history of Lesotho football (by LDF in 1997, 1998, 1999) and very rarely in sport, period.

These are the negatives when it comes to Bantu.

On the other hand, the fact is despite playing far from their best, Bantu are still only five points behind the lead and have already faced five teams in the top eight (LCS, LDF, Lioli, LMPS and Liphakoe).

James Madidilane’s side are unbeaten in the league since a 1-0 loss to Lioli in September and have impressive wins over LCS, LDF and LMPS.

Bantu’s season so far:

Bantu 1-1 Sefotha-fotha Bantu 0-1 Lioli LDF 0-3 Bantu Kick4Life 0-0 Bantu LCS 0-1 Bantu Bantu 2-0 LMPS Bantu 1-1 Liphakoe

Quietly, Bantu also have compiled the Econet Premier League’s best defence over the past month and have only conceded one goal since losing to Lioli.

Key has been the arrival of Motlomelo Mkhwanazi who made his debut against LDF and is forming a rock-solid centreback partnership with captain Thapelo Mokhehle in front of goalkeeper Tinotenda Mapuvire.

With their defence looking the class of the league, it is left to Bantu’s attacking weapons to find form. Despite their talent, offensive stars such as Hlompho Kalake, Tsietsi Motšeare and Lazola Tjokotjokwana are yet to shine this season. If they do, it will make Bantu’s task that much easier as they look to join LDF as the only teams to wins three successive league titles.

2. Matlama

Matlama are the Econet Premier League’s early pacesetters with 17 points from a possible 21. By all measures it is a brilliant start for Tse Putsoa as they seek to win a first championship since 2010.

Matlama’s season so far:

Linare 0-4 Matlama Sefotha-fotha 1-1 Matlama Matlama 3-0 Likhopo Matlama 1-0 Liphakoe Matlama 0-0 Galaxy Swallows 0-4 Matlama Majantja 1-3 Matlama

However, there is a caveat. Five of Matlama’s seven games this season have been against teams in bottom half of the table.

In addition, their two wins against top half opposition have come against Liphakoe at home and a Linare side whom Tse Putsoa have dominated in recent seasons.

In short, Matlama have had the easiest start of any of the top sides and are yet to be tested. Their loss to Lioli in the Top 4 Independence Cup two weeks ago gives further pause. That was Matlama’s first real test this season and they didn’t cover themselves in glory.

Things are about to get tougher. After playing Kick4Life this weekend, Thabile Secker’s side face Bantu, Lioli and LDF.

Just another weapon for Matlama... Motebang Sera

That is the reason why Matlama are slightly below Bantu in these Power Rankings.

That said, Matlama have a good formula going. They have a talented defence marshalled by Lesotho’s best young goalkeeper, Monaheng Ramalefane. Tse Putsoa have arguably the country’s best midfield as well – Phafa Tšosane, Kefuoe Mahula, Mabuti Potloane, Bushy Moletsane etc.

And, they have an exciting attack with a wide array of talent, from Jane Thaba-Ntšo to Motebang Sera. Most of all, Matlama have a precious commodity which few other teams in the league have right now and that is a consistent goalscorer in Lebajoa Mosehlenyane.

Mosehlenyane hasn’t stopped scoring since joining Matlama from Bantu in January and already has five goals this season.

3. LCS

LCS are the owners of the league’s most potent offence having scored an impressive 17 goals in six games.

Their 1-0 win over Lioli last Sunday took them above Tse Nala in these Power Rankings.

With that win LCS finally showed they can win against the big boys because until that point Masheshena had pretty much beat up on smaller teams, and lost to Bantu.

No wonder Masheshena coach Mpitsa Marai was gushing afterwards: “These three points (against Lioli) were more important than any that we may have collected lately. There is a lot of joy for us that our plans worked the way we planned.”

“Our players are growing. If you look at the past two seasons (the players) were still young.

But we will take every game as it comes. We are not going to say we want to be here or there after so many games. We are just going to focus on the game we have coming next.”

LCS’s season so far:

LCS 1-1 Swallows Galaxy 1-3 LCS LCS 3-0 Majantja Likhopo 2-5 LCS LCS 0-1 Bantu Kick4Life 1-1 LCS Lioli 0-1 LCS

Just another weapon for LCS... Thapelo Tale (right)

That growth is clear to see and so is their arsenal of weapons. With Mosiuoa Boseka, Setho Moshoeshoe, Thapelo Tale and Leboneng Moqecho, this is the most exciting LCS attack since their 2012 title-winning squad spearheaded by Thabane Rankara.

4. Lioli

Similar to Bantu, Lioli are still finding their feet. Similar to Bantu, Lioli simply can’t put a run of good performances together.

There are many reasons for this. Tumelo Khutlang is gone to Black Leopards in South Africa and that would hurt any team. The offseason departure of Bushy Moletsane to Matlama is also hurting Lioli more than expected and the continued absence of Jeremia Kamela robs the Teyateyaneng giants of a reliable source of goals from midfield.

Without Moletsane, Kamela and the suspended Tšoanelo Koetle, Lioli also don’t have the abundance of big characters it had before. This Tse Nala is a young team that does well when in a groove but struggles in adverse conditions or when the chips are down – see last month’s 2-0 loss away to Majantja.

Lioli’s season so far:

Kick4Life 2-1 Lioli Bantu 0-1 Lioli Lioli 2-0 Sefotha-fotha Majantja 2-0 Lioli LMPS 0-1 Lioli Lioli 1-1 LDF Lioli 0-1 LCS

Lastly, the style of play isn’t the same. This is no longer the same free-flowing Lioli. The style is more pragmatic with fewer game-changing plays from open play – this season the majority of Lioli’s chances and goals have come from set-pieces.

He's missed... Tšoanelo Koetle (left)

Lioli have simply bled too much elite talent over the last two years and it is catching up to them. Basia Makepe, Mohau Kuenane, Tšepo Seturumane, Bushy Moletsane, Tumelo Khutlang, Maba Junior, Bokang Sello – those are just some the names that have left Lioli.

“We are still a work in progress,” Tse Nala coach Lehlohonolo Thotanyana said.

“There are few youngsters in our team who are blending well into our squad and I think it’s only next season that we can talk about challenging for the league title.”

5. LDF

LDF’s season so far:

LDF 1-0 Majantja Kick4Life 0-0 LDF LDF 0-3 Bantu Galaxy 0-1 LDF LDF 1-0 Sefotha-fotha Lioli 1-1 LDF LDF 1-0 LMPS

LDF’s stated goal is to return to title contention this season and they have gone about it quite well so far.

However, it is tough to put Sohle-Sohle any higher than fifth in the Power Rankings because they are yet to show that they can be a consistent threat to the sides above them.

LDF have started well, but can they really challenge for the title?

That said, LDF have been very solid this season, losing just once. They have also only conceding four goals (three of which came in one game against Bantu) and midfielder Tšepo Toloane continues to play at a high level.

The question is whether LDF can score enough goals to stay in the title race. Sohle-Sohle do have star striker Mojela Letsie back from injury which helps. But this is a team that has only scored five goals in seven games and that is not a return to strike enough fear into the sides above them here.

6. Linare

Linare’s season so far:

Linare 0-4 Matlama Likhopo 2-3 Linare Linare 3-2 Swallows Linare 0-1 Sefotha-fotha Linare 2-0 Majantja Galaxy 0-0 Linare Kick4Life 0-1 Linare

As always, Linare are probably the league’s most unpredictable team but, credit where it is due, Tse Tala have started this season well.  Last weekend’s 1-0 win over Kick4Life was probably their most important so far because it is a game (against a struggling opponent) Linare may have lost in the past.

All in all, Tse Nala are looking good. Since losing to Matlama on the opening weekend, the Leribe side have lost just once in their last six games and only LCS (15 points) and Matlama (14) have collected more points than Linare (13) in that period.

7. Liphakoe

Liphakoe are a solid team and have something that will help them going forward – a quality striker. Tšepang Makapa has scored four goals and has been in sparkling form for the Quthing side this season. And, in drawing 1-1 with Bantu last Sunday, Liphakoe showed they can hang with anyone.

Liphakoe’s season so far:

Liphakoe 2-1 Likhopo Swallows 1-0 Liphakoe Liphakoe 1-0 Galaxy Matlama 1-0 Liphakoe Liphakoe 1-0 Kick4Life Majantja 1-1 Liphakoe Bantu 1-1 Liphakoe

8. LMPS

Despite their talented squad, LMPS have disappointed... again

LMPS possess a talented squad – from Nkau Lerotholi, to Basia Makepe and Tšepo Seturumane – but have continually flattered to deceive. As a club, Simunye haven’t finished in the top four since 2009, the year of their last trophy success (the 2009 MGC Supa 8).

LMPS’s season so far:

LMPS 1-0 Galaxy Majantja 0-1 LMPS LMPS 0-0 Kick4Life Swallows 0-2 LMPS LMPS 0-1 Lioli Bantu 2-0 LMPS LDF 1-0 LMPS

Inconsistency has been the case again this season and Nthako Nalana’s side have dropped to eighth place in the Econet Premier League after leading the standings just last month.

After last weekend’s loss to LDF, LMPS have now lost three games in a row against title contenders and that tells us all we need to know about Simunye. This is not a team that will be competing for a title anytime soon.

9. Kick4Life

Kick4Life’s season so far:

Lioli 1-2 Kick4Life Kick4Life 0-0 LDF LMPS 0-0 Kick4Life Kick4Life 0-0 Bantu Liphakoe 1-0 Kick4Life Kick4Life 0-4 LCS Kick4Life 0-1 Linare

Kick4Life haven’t scored a goal since the first day of the season (six games and 563 minutes) and this is starting to get concerning. Bob Mafoso’s side get the benefit of the doubt over the sides below them here because of the quality in their squad. Also, Kick4Life did finish fourth and sixth over the last two seasons and logic says they will eventually right their ship.

But, in truth, the two sides below them (Sefotha-fotha and Galaxy) have been much better than Kick4Life this season.

10. Sefotha-fotha

Sefotha-fotha are tough to beat and that served them well in their debut Econet Premier League campaign last season and continues to serves them well. The Mabote side already have draws with Bantu and Matlama on their resume this season and they have enough grit to steer clear of a relegation battle this season.

Sefotha-fotha season so far:

Bantu 1-1 Sefotha-fotha Sefotha-fotha 1-1 Matlama Lioli 2-0 Sefotha-fotha Linare 0-1 Sefotha-fotha LDF 1-0 Sefotha-fotha Sefotha-fotha 0-2 Likhopo Sefotha-fotha 0-0 Swallows

11. Galaxy

Galaxy are similar to Sefotha-fotha in that they don’t concede a lot of goals. The Maputsoe side have kept cleansheets in their past three games which is the best run in the league. In addition, Galaxy have already faced a host of the league’s top teams this season – LMPS, LCS, Liphakoe, LDF, Matlama and Linare – and they were competitive in each game. Despite being third from bottom, it has been a promising start for the newly-promoted side.

Galaxy’s season so far:

LMPS 1-0 Galaxy Galaxy 1-3 LCS Liphakoe 1-0 Galaxy Galaxy 0-1 LDF Matlama 0-0 Galaxy Galaxy 0-0 Linare Galaxy 3-0 Likhopo

12. Majantja

Majantja, okay in Mohale's Hoek, bad everywhere else...

Majantja have one signature win this season – beating Lioli 2-0 last month at home in Mohale’s Hoek. Apart from that, though, points have been hard to come by – only one in their other six games. Majantja are also yet to win a point away from Mohale’s Hoek.

Majantja’s season so far:

LDF 1-0 Majantja Majantja 0-1 LMPS LCS 3-0 Majantja Majantja 2-0 Lioli Linare 2-0 Majantja Majantja 1-1 Liphakoe Majantja 1-3 Matlama

13. Swallows

Swallows started well (with a draw and a win) but it has been chaos since with their coach Sunday Ntšonyana leaving and then coming back, to the team losing four of their last five games. If things don’t improve, it will be a long season for the newly-promoted Mazenod side.

Swallows season so far:

LCS 1-1 Swallows Swallows 1-0 Liphakoe Linare 3-2 Swallows Swallows 0-2 LMPS Likhopo 0-0 Swallows Swallows 0-4 Matlama Sefotha-fotha 0-0 Swallows

14. Likhopo

Likhopo’s season so far:

Liphakoe 2-1 Likhopo Likhopo 2-3 Linare Matlama 3-0 Likhopo Likhopo 2-5 LCS Likhopo 0-0 Swallows Sefotha-fotha 0-2 Likhopo Galaxy 3-0 Likhopo

After the first quarter of the season the numbers say Likhopo are the worst team in the Econet Premier League. Numbers don’t lie. Likhopo are bottom of the league. They have conceded the most goals (16 in seven games), they have the worst goal difference and they have let in three or more goals in four separate games (no other team has more than two such games). It’s tough.