It looks like a two-horse race, again

Only ten matches have been played but it looks like the Vodacom Premier League race will be a contest between Lioli and Bantu – the new powerhouses of Lesotho football.

It’s confirmed now.

The duo is in possession of Lesotho’s main trophies, Lioli the league and Bantu the Independence Cup.

Lioli were particularly impressive yesterday in their 1-0 win over LCS, who until recently have been the benchmark in Lesotho football. In Masheshena’s backyard, Lioli were always in control and probably should have won by more than Tšoanelo Koetle’s first half free-kick.

Free-kick specialist...
Tšoanelo Koetle 

Bantu weren’t too shabby either disposing of LDF 2-0 at Ratjomose, the first time Sohle-Sohle had dropped points at home this season.

The two results are symbolic; Lioli and Bantu beating LCS and LDF, the two teams that have been the country’s dominant sides this century. Yesterday, the baton was officially passed to Tse Nala and A Matšo Matebele.

The results mean Lioli are top of the league with 28 points and Bantu second with 24. The next best team, Matlama, are a distant third on 20 points.

Bantu and Lioli meet this Sunday in Mafeteng, it should some match.

Elsewhere, Matlama moved into third after a hard-fought and arguably fortunate 1-0 victory over Qoaling Highlanders on Saturday, ending a run of four-matches without a win.

Also on Saturday, Likhopo continued their silent rise up the table with a comprehensive 3-0 dismantling of Melele in Qacha’s Nek. Likhopo are now in fourth place after winning four and drawing two of their last six games. New boys Melele, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone.

There was disappointment for Linare as they dropped two valuable points at home, drawing 1-1 with Nyenye Rovers, and falling behind Likhopo on the table. It is the second weekend in a row Nyenye have spoiled the plans of a top side after beating LDF 3-1 last weekend.

At the bottom, LMPS and Mphatlalatsane both got much needed wins beating Mpharane Celtic and Joy respectively. LMPS’s win over Mpharane was their first at home all season while Mphatlalatsane picked up a welcome three points after collecting just two from their last five matches.

It’s serious problems for Joy – one point from 10 games and rock bottom of the league. Joy have scored the least goals (3) and conceded the most (27) in the league. The writing is on the wall.

But, it’s at the top where everyone wants to be and, at this moment in time, the undisputed kings of Lesotho football are Lioli and Bantu.

The championship is going either to Teyateyaneng or Mafeteng.

Weekend Results

Saturday

Melele 0-3 Likhopo

Matlama 1-0 Qoaling Highlanders

LMPS 4-1 Mpharane Celtic

Sunday

Mphatlalatsane 4-0 Joy

Linare 1-1 Nyenye Rovers

LCS 0-1 Lioli

LDF 0-2 Bantu

Vodacom Premier League

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Lioli	10	9	1	0	26	6	+20	28
2	Bantu	10	7	3	0	18	1	+17	24
3	Matlama	10	6	2	2	12	7	+5	20
4	Likhopo	10	5	3	2	14	8	+6	18
5	Linare	10	5	3	2	14	9	+5	18
6	LDF	10	5	3	2	10	6	+4	18
7	Qoaling Highlanders	10	3	3	4	8	10	-2	12
8	Mphatlalatsane	10	3	2	5	13	14	-1	11
9	Nyenye Rovers	9	2	4	3	9	9	+0	10
10	LCS	9	2	3	4	6	6	+0	9
11	LMPS	10	2	2	6	8	13	-5	8
12	Mpharane Celtic	10	2	2	6	13	26	-13	8
13	Melele	10	1	2	8	7	19	-12	5
14	Joy	10	0	1	9	3	27	-24	1

Vodacom Premier League: Weekend preview

The journey continues...

The Vodacom Premier League continues this weekend with the chasing pack looking to keep up the chase on Lioli who are streaking away at the top.

After nine rounds, the champions are already four points clear a gap that may increase depending on the clash between their closest rivals Bantu and LDF on Sunday.

The match, which will be played at LDF’s Ratjomose ground, already has the feel of an early season title eliminator. Neither side can afford to drop any points such has been Lioli’s blistering start.

There is little to separate the two so, naturally, it should be a close affair.  Second-placed Bantu have yet to concede away from home this season while LDF, in third, are the only side yet to drop a point at home. Sohle-Sohle will be looking to bounce back from a shock 3-1 loss to Nyenye Rovers last time out while Bantu will be looking to get back to winning ways after a draw with LCS last weekend.

Lioli themselves are in action on Sunday as well facing LCS in Maseru. Masheshena, winners of four league titles since 2007, have made their worst start to a season and find themselves languishing in eighth place with only nine points from eight games, a massive 16 points behind Lioli.

Weekend shorts:

- LDF v Bantu: Bantu have yet to concede away from home this season. LDF are the only side yet to drop a point at home, scoring eight goals and only conceding once in four games.

- LCS v Lioli: Lioli have the best away record in the league. Tse Nala have won four of four on the road and have scored nine goals, the most in the league. LCS, on the other hand, have only won once in four home games this season, scoring a solitary goal.

- Linare v Nyenye Rovers: Linare are a side in form. Tse Tala are undefeated in their last five matches, winning three and drawing two. Nyenye Rovers claimed their first win in six matches with a surprise 3-1 win over LDF last weekend.

- Melele v Likhopo: Likhopo are one of the league’s form sides having picked up 11 points from a possible 15. Only Lioli and Bantu have picked up more points in the same period. The last time they played at home Melele claimed their first win of the season beating Mpharane Celtic 3-0. But, the Qacha side’s home record isn’t impressive – four matches, three losses, one win.

- Matlama v Qoaling Highlanders: After a fine start to the season Matlama have wobbled and are without a win in four matches, losing two, drawing two. Resultantly, they have dropped from first place to fifth, eight points off the top. They face a Qoaling Highlanders side that has the fifth best away record so far and, along with Lioli and Bantu, are the only undefeated side away from home.

Nowhere to turn...
LMPS are struggling

- LMPS v Mpharane Celtic: The season has been a struggle for LMPS. Simunye only have five points from nine games and are only above the relegation zone on goal difference. They’ve scored only four goals all season, the second lowest in the league after bottom side Joy. This weekend is a golden chance for them to kick-start their campaign, though. Visitors Mpharane Celtic are bad travellers, losing all four games away, scoring once, conceding 13.

- Mphatlalatsane v Joy: After a strong start to the season Mphatlalatsane are on the joint worst run of form in the league, losing four and only drawing once in their last five games. The team sharing their poor recent record? This weekend’s opponents, Joy. Joy are rock bottom and their stats are depressing: one point from nine games, three goals scored and 23 conceded. Rough.

Fixtures

Saturday, 9 November

Melele v Likhopo (15:00, Qacha’s Nek)

Matlama v Qoaling Highlanders (15:00, Pitso Ground)

LMPS v Mpharane Celtic (15:00, Police Training College)

Sunday, 10 November

Mphatlalatsane v Joy (15:00, St. Monica’s)

Linare v Nyenye Rovers (15:00, Hlotse)

LCS v Lioli (15:00, Lesotho Correctional Services)

LDF v Bantu (15:00, Ratjomose)

Vodacom Premier League

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Lioli	9	8	1	0	25	6	+19	25
2	Bantu	9	6	3	0	16	1	+15	21
3	LDF	9	5	3	1	10	4	+6	18
4	Linare	9	5	2	2	13	8	+5	17
5	Matlama	9	5	2	2	11	7	+4	17
6	Likhopo	9	4	3	2	11	8	+3	15
7	Qoaling Highlanders	9	3	3	3	8	9	-1	12
8	LCS	8	2	3	3	6	5	+1	9
9	Nyenye Rovers	8	2	3	3	8	8	+0	9
10	Mphatlalatsane	9	2	2	5	9	14	-5	8
11	Mpharane Celtic	9	2	2	5	12	22	-10	8
12	LMPS	9	1	2	6	4	12	-8	5
13	Melele	9	1	2	6	7	16	-9	5
14	Joy	9	0	1	8	3	23	-20	1