Bantu versus Matlama – The Key Battles

It's big one: Bantu v Matlama.
The Econet Premiership crown is on the line...

Bantu and Matlama faceoff on Sunday at Setsoto Stadium in a match that could decide the destination of this season’s Econet Premier League trophy.

Although it is a huge game for both teams, the pressure is squarely on champions Matlama whose title defence is virtually on life support.

Tse Putsoa find themselves 12 points behind Bantu after 15 games and a loss on Sunday would give their Mafeteng rivals an almost insurmountable lead of 15 points at the top.

It is a tough ask for Matlama. Not only are Bantu unbeaten this season, they have rarely looked like losing a game.

Bantu’s only defeats this season came over the span of two days in December’s Independence Cup where the Mafeteng side finished fourth in the four-team showpiece.

That uncharacteristic weekend aside, A Matšo Matebele have been flawless, save for a 1-1 league draw with Matlama when the sides met for the first time this season in November.

As opposed to Matlama, Bantu enter Sunday’s game without much pressure. Their confidence is sky-high and they are playing with house money.

Will Bantu’s defence continue its dominance?

Incredibly, Bantu have only conceded four goals in their 15 league matches this season.

Bantu’s defence was already league’s best unit and then they added Motlomelo Mkhwanazi during the January transfer window.

The Lesotho international defender re-joined Bob Mafoso’s team from South African side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) and he only strengthens a rock-solid defence filled with in-form players such Tsietsi Khooa. 

This is the biggest challenge Matlama will face on Sunday – trying to get past a Bantu defence that has only conceded once in the past eight games.

Matlama also haven’t found a consistent goalscorer since Lesotho international striker Motebang Sera left for Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa before the start of the season. Tse Putsoa are hoping new signing Thapelo Tale will be the man to offer their goal threat especially in big games such as this, but he only made his debut for Matlama last weekend against LCS.

Whether Matlama can actually break through Bantu’s defence in the first place, is Sunday’s biggest question.

The midfield battle is likely to decide the outcome...

Can Matlama’s midfield dominate the game?

Tse Putsoa have been frustratingly inconsistent this season under Charles Manda and they haven’t dominated matches as they did during last season’s title-winning campaign.

However, their midfield probably still remains the best in the Econet Premier League with the inspirational Phafa Tšosane leading the way.

Sunday’s clash, of course, will depend on which side will control the game’s engine room.

With Bantu in such rampant form it is important for Matlama to try and dictate the tempo of the game and they have players capable of doing so in Tšosane, Mabuti Potloane and Kefuoe Mahula.

All three are vastly experienced on the big stage as they showed when Matlama won the Independence Cup in December, and their creativity paves the way for the likes of Jane Thaba-Ntšo further forward.

The performance of Matlama’s midfield playmakers is likely to set the tempo for proceedings at Setsoto.

Can Matlama find a way to stop Litšepe Marabe?

Leading by example... Litšepe Marabe (left) has been on fire for Bantu

Marabe has thrived since as captain of Bantu.

Marabe has scored 11 goals this season and has led the way as Bantu have scored goals for fun of late.

A Matšo Matebele have scored 18 goals in their last five league games and, if you include their 4-1 win over Kick4Life in the LNIG Top 8 quarterfinal first legs, that tally increases to a crazy 22 goals in six games.

Marabe, Lazola Jokojokwane, Lehlohonolo Fothoane and Hlompho Kalake have been the tormentors in chief in recent weeks.

However, the key dangerman Matlama will have to watch is Marabe who is always extra-motivated against his former club – Matlama.

Bantu v Matlama head-to-head matches:
03/11/19	Matlama	1-1	Bantu
04/05/19	Bantu	2-1	Matlama
16/02/19	Matlama	0-1	Bantu
19/05/18	Matlama	1-2	Bantu
03/12/17	Bantu	4-2	Matlama
12/02/17	Bantu	2-2	Matlama
07/01/17	Matlama	1-0	Bantu
17/04/16	Matlama	2-0	Bantu
12/12/15	Bantu	0-1	Matlama
06/04/15	Bantu	1-0	Matlama
08/11/14	Matlama	0-0	Bantu
30/03/14	Matlama	0-1	Bantu
20/10/13	Bantu	2-0	Matlama
12/05/13	Matlama	1-1	Bantu
15/09/12	Bantu	3-0	Matlama
11/03/12	Bantu	2-1	Matlama
18/09/11	Matlama	0-2	Bantu
14/05/11	Bantu	1-2	Matlama
15/01/11	Matlama	1-0	Bantu

Head-to-head record:
	Bantu	Matlama
Matches played	19	19
Wins	10	5
Draws	4	4
Losses	5	10
Goals for	25	16
Goals against	16	25