Lioli look to continue good start

Lioli and Matlama will both be looking for
a win this weekend...

Lioli will be looking to continue their blistering start to the season when they face Linare this afternoon in the pick of this weekend’s Vodacom Premier League matches. The Great North Derby, traditionally one of Lesotho’s biggest events, will be played at Maputsoe’s new sports complex constructed by the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA).

Lioli beat Sandawana 3-0 last week and will look to cement their place at the top.

Linare, champions in 1979 and 1980, have been in free-fall over the past year and have slipped after the promise of the 2013/14 season where they finished fourth.

Last season Tse Tala finished just above the relegation zone and they opened their 2015/16 campaign with a 4-1 loss at home to Likhopo.

Lioli are likely to be without new signing Obakeng Modirwa and Montoeli Sonopo, both of whom suffered muscle injuries in their opening day win over Sandawana.

Their absence opens the door for Lekhanya Lekhanya to stake a claim for a place. The talented but erratic attacker came on off the bench last week and changed proceedings for Lioli, scoring a goal and being a constant menace.

Linare’s new coach Lebajoa Mphongoa will be hoping for an off-day for Lioli. The former Lesotho striker got off to the worst possible start as Linare coach with a 4-1 loss to Likhopo last week. Tse Tala looked out of sorts and the pressure from the ever demanding Leribe fans will only grow with another poor performance against Lioli.

Another equally important affair takes place this afternoon in Mafeteng as Bantu welcome LDF to the Leshoboro Sports Complex. Bantu are desperate to bounce back after a 2-0 loss to LPMS in their first game of the season. LDF, meanwhile, got their season off with a 1-1 draw with Mphatlalatsane.

Elsewhere today, the two newly-promoted sides, Rovers and Liphakoe, meet in Roma while Mphatlalatsane host Butha-Buthe neighbours in St Monica’s.

On Sunday, Kick4Life, on a high after their 1-0 win upset win over LCS last week, host Matlama who are looking for their first win of the season. At the LCS grounds, Likhopo host LMPS while Sandawana welcome LCS to Butha-Buthe.

Weekend #LPL Fixtures

Saturday

Rovers v Liphakoe (15:00, Roma)

Mphatlalatsane v Likila United (15:00, St Monica’s)

Bantu v LDF FC (15:00, Mafeteng)

Linare v Lioli (15:00, Maputsoe)

Sunday

Kick4Life v Matlama (15:00, Old Europa)

Sandawana v LCS FC (15:00, Butha-Buthe)

Likhopo v LMPS (15:00, LCS)