Matlama win LNIG Top 8 to end eight-year trophy drought

The wait is finally over for Matlama...

Matlama have been crowned 2018 LNIG Top 8 champions after a pulsating 3-1 win over Bantu in the final at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon.

Tse Putsoa’s triumph is historic on several levels. Firstly and most importantly to the club’s fans, the victory ends Matlama’s eight-year trophy drought. The Pitso Ground outfit hadn’t won any silverware since winning the league title in 2010.

Matlama have also ruined Bantu’s chances of becoming the first side to win a treble and claim a clean sweep of all domestic trophies – A Matšo Matebele are currently top of the Econet Premier League and had already captured the Independence Cup in October.

Tse Putsoa are also the first team other than Lioli or Bantu to win the LNIG Top 8 since it was launched in 2014.

Matlama’s win is made even more remarkable by how improbable it was at the turn of the year. Even heading into to today’s final Matlama were heavy underdogs having not featured in a final since the 2016 Independence Cup when they lost to Lioli.

Moreover, the last time Matlama and Bantu had met – in December in the league – A Matšo Matebele ran out 4-2 winners.

However, Matlama have been reborn under Mosito Matela who took over as coach in October after a rough start to the season and a disappointing 2016/17 campaign in which Lesotho’s most successful club finished eighth in the league.

Over the past two months Matlama have beaten Lioli 4-1 in the league, overcome a first leg deficit to beat Kick4Life in the LNIG Top 8 quarterfinals and yesterday they outfoxed Lioli 1-0 to reach today’s final.

Despite their underdog status, confidence has been growing within Matlama as the weeks have passed and they were the more assertive side against Bantu. Their positive approach paid off handsomely and Tse Putsoa’s goalscoring heroes in the final were Phafa Tšosane, Lehlomela Ramabele and tournament top scorer Lebajoa Mosehlanyane.

It has been a complete team effort to get Matlama here, however. Captain Mabuti Potloane was immense in the centre of the park again and defender John Mohai won the final’s man of the match award for his stellar work at the back.

At the end of the day, coach Matela will go down in history as the man who ended the club’s second longest trophy drought and returned Matlama to the top of Lesotho football.

LNIG Top 8 awards:

Player of the tournament: Lebajoa Mosehlanyane (Matlama)

Top goalscorer: Lebajoa Mosehlanyane (Matlama)

Coach of the tournament: Mosito Matela (Matlama)

Goalkeeper of the tournament: Monaheng Ramalefane (Matlama)

Referee of the tournament: Lebalang Mokete

Assistant referee of the tournament: Lesupi Puputla

LNIG Top 8 Finals results:

Third place playoff

Lioli 3-2 LCS

Final

Matlama 3-1 Bantu

Lioli crowned LNIG Top 8 champions

Lioli     (0) 1

LCS     (0) 0

Lioli's Tšoanelo Koetle (left) goes head to head against LCS's
Refiloe Mothae

Lioli have been crowned LNIG Top 8 champions for a second time thanks to a 1-0 win over LCS at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon.

In an evenly matched affair, Jeremea Kamela’s stunning free-kick late in the second half was the decider.

The triumph keeps hopes of a league and cup double alive for Lioli who also lead the Vodacom Premier League with five matches to go. Tse Nala also added to their success in the inaugural edition of the LNIG Top 8 in 2014 when they beat Linare in the final.

Lioli made one change to the side that beat LDF 5-0 in yesterday’s semi-final with winger Tumelo Khutlang coming into the team to replace Motlalepula Mofolo.

LCS also made one change from their 1-0 win over Bantu, but it was again Thabo Seakhoa who was Masheshena’s most energetic player. The winger was a lively outlet going forward but striker Thabang Rabi was well marshalled by Lioli’s rock-solid central defensive duo of Basia Makepe and Kopano Tseka.

Lioli didn’t have many clear chances either but, with the backing of their animated fans, Tse Nala often looked the likelier team to score.

Mpitsa Marai’s well-drilled LCS side made it difficult however, while the fluidity of the game wasn’t helped by frequent stoppages.

It was clear it would take a moment of magic to decide the game, and so it did. With just under 15 minutes left, Kamela thumped in a 25-yard free-kick that gave LCS goalkeeper Sam Ketsekile no chance.

Despite seven minutes added on at the end, Lioli held on to claim a well-deserved title.

In the earlier day, LDF claimed third spot with a 3-1 win over Bantu in the third-place playoff. The star of the show was Mojela Letsie whose two penalties were ultimately the difference between the teams.

Winners Lioli, unsurprisingly, swept the tournament’s individual awards.

Kamela was named the player of the tournament for his fine displays throughout the competition. The Lesotho international also won the goal of the tournament award for his strike in the final.

Lioli striker Nkoto Masoabi won the top scorer award while Kananelo Makhoane was the goalkeeper of the tournament. The coach of the tournament gong is the only award that won’t be going to Teyateyaneng, with LCS boss Marai claiming the honour.

LNIG Top 8 final starting XIs:

‪#‎LioliFC (4-3-3): Makhooane - Moremoholo, Sello, Makepe (c), Tseka - Koetle, Kamela, Moletsane - Lekhanya, Khutlang, Masoabi

‪#‎LCSFC (4-5-1): Ketsekile - Motsamai, Motiki Mohale, Poloko Mohale (c), Mojalefa - Nthonyana, Seakhoa, Ntaitsane, Rabi, Lieta - Mothae

LNIG Top 8 Awards

Player of the Tournament - Jeremea Kamela (Lioli)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Kananelo Makhoane (Lioli)

Golden Boot - Nkoto Masoabi (Lioli)

Goal of the Tournament - Jeremea Kamela (Lioli)

Coach of the Tournament - Mpitsa Marai (LCS)

Lioli, LCS to meet in LNIG Top 8 final

Tšoanelo Koetle and co will face LCS

LCS will play Lioli in the final of this year’s LNIG Top 8 after a 1-0 win over reigning champions Bantu at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon.

Masheshena’s winner came courtesy of Poloko Mohale’s strike from the spot in the 75th minute. Mpitsa Marai’s side will now face Lioli in tomorrow’s final, also at the national stadium.

It was a game of few chances and Bantu, as the defending champions, were especially disappointing as they failed to really test Sam Ketsekile in the LCS goals all game. A Matšo Matebele were punished for their timid approach when Masheshena captain Mohale expertly tucked away a penalty with 15 minutes left. The star on the day for LCS, however, was returning winger Thabo Seakhoa with his cleverness and energy.

The day’s first semi-final was a more straightforward affair as Lioli cruised to a 5-0 win over a hapless LDF side.

Tse Nala were 4-0 up by halftime and the second half was simply a formality to finish the 90 minutes. Lioli still managed to add a fifth goal.

Their goals came courtesy of Basia Makepe, Tšoanelo Koetle and Lekhanya Lekhanya and a brace from Nkoto Masoabi.

Thanks to their goal-spree, Lioli go into tomorrow’s final as slight favourites. The winner between Tse Nala and Masheshena will go home M100 000 richer.

#LNIGTop8 Finals Schedule

Saturday

Semi-finals

Lioli 5-0 LDF

Line-ups

‪Lioli (4-3-3): Makhooane - Moremoholo, Sello, Tseka, Makepe (c) - Koetle, Mofolo, Moletsane - Lekhanya, Kamela, Masoabi

‎LDF (4-4-2): Mphuthi - Matekoane, Mokapane, Motanyane (c), Lethakha - 'Matli, Moloi, Lekoekoe, Molefe - Letsie, Tometsi

Bantu 0-1 LCS

Line-ups

Bantu (4-4-2): Mosala - Nkune, Okoko, Mokhehle (c), Maile - Malefane, Mosehlenyane, Kalake, Tjokotjokwane – Litšepe Marabe, Mokone Marabe

LCS (4-5-1): Ketsekile - Sehloho, Mohale M, Mojalefa, Mohale P (c) - Nthonyane, Seakhoa, Ntaitsane, Rabi, Lieta – Mothae

Sunday

Third-place playoff – Bantu v LDF (13:00)

Final – Lioli v LCS (15:00)

All eyes on LNIG Top 8 Finals

Bantu star-power - Litšepe Marabe (right)

The LNIG Top 8 finals are the main attraction this weekend. Four teams – Bantu, LCS, LDF and Lioli – remain in Lesotho’s richest cup competition. The tournament is in its third edition with Lioli winning the first competition in 2014 and Bantu victorious last year.

The semi-finals are this afternoon at Setsoto Stadium with the third-place playoff and final tomorrow at the national stadium.

Today Lioli meet LDF before defending champions Bantu face LCS. Lioli and Bantu have been kept apart in the semi-finals paving the way for a possible dream final. But, LDF and LCS stand in the way.

Lioli v LDF (13:00)

Tse Nala’s style v LDF’s power

Quarterfinal results

Lioli beat Sandawana 7-3 on aggregate

LDF beat Matlama 2-1 on aggregate

Lioli are in the running for a league and cup double and they go into the game against LDF as favourites. Tse Nala won the inaugural tournament in 2014 by beating Linare in the final. Their tie against LDF is tough to call, however. Both times the teams met in the league this season it ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

LDF have been able to frustrate Lioli whenever the teams have met and this afternoon’s game will again be a battle of wills.

Lioli play an attractive passing game, while Sohle-Sohle’s approach is built on power and direct football. Lioli have an abundance of gifted ball players, from Tšoanelo Koetle to Motlalepula Mofolo; their wingers, from Montoeli Sonopo to Tumelo Khutlang, are skilful troublemakers and upfront they have a strike-force that put seven past Sandawana in the last round.

LDF’s strategy under Motheo Mohapi, on the other hand, is a bit simpler. The defence is stout and physical, Molefe Lekoekoe pulls the strings in midfield, and normally it is up to Mojela Letsie to pit away any half chances Sohle-Sohle fashion.

A penalty shootout is not out of the question in this tie.

LDF midfield general Molefe Lekoekoe

Bantu v LCS (15:00)

Bantu’s star power v Masheshena’s efficiency

Quarterfinal results

Bantu beat Likila United 6-1 on aggregate

LCS beat Likhopo 2-0 on aggregate

Defending champions Bantu have been an inconsistent side in the 2015/16 season. Last year A Matšo Matebele beat Matlama 3-1 in the final and they have the quality to achieve a similar success again. Bantu have a plethora of stars and with their season having been so erratic, their star-power is their calling card. Since Bafokeng Mohapi arrived in January – Bantu’s third coach this season – there hasn’t been a discernable shift in game-plan.

Rather, the Mafeteng giants appear to be getting by on the ability of their star players. It is the reason why they have been inconsistent in the league, but it is also the reason they have done well in the big games, such as last week’s win over LCS.  

Bantu beat LCS 2-0 last week when the sides met in the Vodacom Premier League. However, Masheshena can’t be counted out.

In his first year as coach, ex-LCS captain Mpitsa Marai has improved the team and has brought the efficiency that was the hallmark of the great Masheshena sides he played for. Marai spent 10 years, from 2000 to 2010, as a player at LCS.

In that time he won everything on offer in the local game, including back-to-back league titles in 2006 and 2007. Last weekend’s league loss to Bantu scuppered LCS’s title hopes and they will be out for revenge today.

Like the first semi, this is a close game to call, but Bantu’s star-power gives them the slight advantage.

LNIG Top 8: Bantu, Lioli, LCS and LDF advance to semis

Tšoanelo Koetle and Lioli are through
to the LNIG Top 8 semi-finals

Defending champions Bantu will face LCS while Lioli meet LDF in the semi-finals of the LNIG Top 8. Bantu and Lioli booked their places yesterday while LCS and LDF followed suit today.

This afternoon’s ties, both played at the LCS Stadium, were close affairs following the same pattern as the first legs.

LCS advanced thanks to a hard fought win 1-0 over Likhopo to give them a 2-0 aggregate victory. The win is LCS’s sixth in a row in all competitions and they are the country’s form team. Their success has been based on a rock-solid defence. Masheshena have only conceded four goals in their last 12 games in all competitions.

In the second game today, LDF needed to a last-gasp goal to progress past Matlama with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Most of the goals came yesterday.

Lioli overcome a spirited Sandawana 3-2 at the Maputsoe DiFA Stadium to win 7-3 on aggregate. Sandawana took the lead and had hope with the score tied at 2-2 midway through the second half but a penalty from Tumelo Khutlang sealed the tie for Tse Nala.

In yesterday’s other return quarterfinal, reigning champions Bantu had too much class for Likila United winning 3-1 at Setsoto Stadium for a 6-1 score over two legs.

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, 9 April at Setsoto. The final will take place the following day.

LNIG Top 8 quarterfinal second leg results:

Saturday

Sandawana 2-3 Lioli

(Lioli won 7-3 on aggregate)

Bantu 3-1 Likila United

(Bantu won 6-1 on aggregate)

Sunday

Likhopo 0-1 LCS

(LCS won aggregate)

Matlama 1-1 LDF

(LDF lead 1-0)

Semi-finals

Saturday, 9th April

Lioli v LDF

Bantu v LCS

LNIG Top 8 Results

LNIG Top 8 quarterfinal second leg results

Saturday, 20 February

Sandawana 2-3 Lioli

(Lioli win 7-3 on aggregate)

Bantu 3-1 Likila United

(Bantu win 6-1 on aggregate)

LNIG Top 8 Preview: Only four will remain

Defending champions Bantu are well placed to advance

By the end of the weekend, four sides will be through to the semi-finals of the LNIG Top 8.

Tomorrow Sandawana host Lioli in the sides’ quarterfinal second leg while Bantu face Likila United. Then on Sunday, Likhopo play LCS and Matlama do battle with LDF.

Lioli will be looking to bounce back from last Sunday’s CAF Champions League disappointment when they meet Sandawana. Tse Nala head into the return leg holding a 4-1 lead from the first leg making them clear favourites to advance.

The match will also be played at the Maputsoe DiFA Stadium instead of Sandawana’s home in Butha-Buthe which would seem to eliminate any chance of a miracle comeback. Tomorrow’s game is the third time the teams will meet in under a month. Lioli also beat Sandawana 2-0 in the league three weeks ago.

Sandawana coach Bob Mafoso admitted it will be difficult to overturn the deficit they face.

“This is a knockout and there are no second chances. It will be difficult to come back from three goals against a team like Lioli,” Mafoso said.

In tomorrow’s other tie, reigning LNIG Top 8 champions Bantu host Likila with a comfortable cushion of their own having won 3-0 in the first leg. With the league title now out of A Matšo Matebele’s reach, their full focus will be on the LNIG Top 8. The match will be played at the Setsoto Stadium and not at Bantu’s Mafeteng home.

Sunday sees much closer affairs with LCS and LDF taking narrow 1-0 leads into their respective second legs against Likhopo and Matlama.

The two matches will be part of a double header at the LCS Stadium. In the first game, Likhopo will look to breach an LCS defence that has only conceded four goals in its last 11 games in all competitions. The weekend’s final second leg tie sees a clash of Lesotho’s two most successful teams, Matlama and LDF.

Matlama are seeking to end a trophy drought

However, both are experiencing trophy droughts. Matlama haven’t claimed silverware since their league win in 2010 while LDF are without a trophy since they won the now defunct Buddie Top 4 in 2008.

The tie is evenly poised and the winner’s reward will be a likely semi-final date with Lioli.

LNIG Top 8 quarterfinal second legs

Saturday

Sandawana v Lioli (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)

(Lioli lead 4-1)

Bantu v Likila United (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)

(Bantu lead 3-0)

Sunday

Likhopo v LCS (14:00, LCS)

(LCS lead 1-0)

Matlama v LDF (16:00, LCS)

(LDF lead 1-0)

2016 LNIG Top 8 Schedule

JANUARY
Saturday 30th January  2016 (First Leg)
Match	Fixture		Venue
QF 1	LCS 1-0 Likhopo		LCS
QF 2	LDF 1-0 Matlama		LCS
Sunday 31st January 2016 (First Leg)
QF 3	Lioli 4-1 Sandawana		Setsoto Stadium
QF 4	Likila United 0-3 Bantu		Maputsoe DiFA Stadium
FEBRUARY
Saturday 20th February 2016 (Second Leg)
QF 3	Sandawana v Lioli	15:00	Maputsoe DiFA Stadium
QF 4	Bantu v Likila United	15:00	Setsoto Stadium
Sunday 21st February 2016 (Second Leg)
QF 1	Likhopo v LCS	14:00	LCS
QF 2	Matlama v LDF	16:00	LCS
APRIL
Saturday 9th April 2016 (Semi-finals)
SF 1	Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 2	TBC	Setsoto Stadium
SF 2	Winner QF 4 v Winner QF 1	TBC	Setsoto Stadium
Sunday 10th April 2016 (Finals)
3rd/4th	SF 2 Loser v SF 1 Loser	TBC	Setsoto Stadium
Final	SF 1 Winner v SF 2 Winner	TBC	Setsoto Stadium