Quote of the week

“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.” – Muhammad Ali

Saturday, December 31, 2016

#2016images: Lioli's royal year

More success in a successful 2016 for Lioli...
2016 images: Lioli captain Shetsane Ramoseeka receives the Independence Cup trophy from King Letsie III after Tse Nala’s 1-0 win over Matlama in the final.

October 23. Setsoto Stadium.

#2016images: Likatola's Rwanda adventure

2016 was a good year for the Lesotho rugby team...
#2016images: Lesotho national rugby team at the Africa Division 2 Cup in Rwanda in May.

Likatola finished third after beating Burundi 6-3.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Bokamoso Basketball Development Program league ends 2016

Bokamoso: developing future stars...
With the National Basketball League on hiatus until the New Year, the Bokamoso Basketball Development Program is concluding its year by hosting the first-ever edition of the Bokamoso Under-21 Basketball Development Tournament.

The countrywide youth league was launched last weekend. It intends to boost the standard of basketball in the country and give rural youth a platform to compete and showcase their talent.

The Bokamoso Under-21 Basketball Development Tournament has been divided into in five regions. The zones are North 1, North 2, South, Maseru 1 and Maseru 2 and games will played in Maputsoe, Butha-Buthe, Mohale’s Hoek and Maseru.

Bokamoso Basketball Development Program, of course, is the home of National Basketball League (NBL) log leaders Bokamoso South who have also won the Sprite Memorial Independence Tournament and Summer Slam Charity Tournament competitions in recent months.

Bokamoso North, meanwhile, lead the standings in the national women’s league.

According to Bokamoso programme coordinator Bokang Pharela, the Under-21 league is another of the club’s initiatives to produce quality basketball players around Lesotho.

He said they are striving for their development programme to reach every corner of the country, search for talent and revive rural and regional teams.

“Up to date we are working in eight districts of the country and we hope soon we will be all over the country,” Pharela said.

Pharela said Bokamoso want to grow the country’s pool of young players and increase participation in basketball.

“At the moment NBL teams only have one channel for players – high school clubs. This poses a threat to our sport because when the players reach a higher level of education they leave the sport and focus only on their education. So it is wise for us to sensitise them at an early stage that sport goes together with education and creates work at some point,” Pharela said.

Jonase Mokhakala, who is the Thaba-Tseka District Basketball Coordinator and head coach of Highlands Hawks Basketball Development Program, praised the Bokamoso Under-21 league. He said he hoped it would boost his team’s level as it will be their first time taking part in such a tournament.

“It is a good idea which also acts as way of removing the kids from the streets during these December holidays. It will keep them busy with basketball,” Mokhakala said.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Lesotho finishes year 141st in the world

Progress... Jane Thaba-Ntšo and Likuena end 2016 43rd in Africa 
Lesotho will end the year as 43rd best team in Africa and 141st worldwide after the latest FIFA World Rankings were released on Thursday. Likuena have moved up one place in the rankings

Overall, 2016 has seen Lesotho move from 152nd in January to its current ranking at the end of the year. Likuena, however, are set to be inactive for a few months.

At the moment, Lesotho’s next assignment will only be in April when 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers begin.

In the rest of the rankings, Senegal ended 2016 as Africa’s highest ranked team edging out reigning African champions Ivory Coast to top spot.

Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco complete the latest top 10 released by FIFA.

All of the countries in the top 10, except for Nigeria, will be among the 16 challengers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Gabon between January 14 and February 5.

Meanwhile, Argentina will end the year on top of the world ahead of neighbours Brazil. Argentina, beaten finalists in the Copa America in June, therefore, has taken the ‘Team of the Year’ title from Belgium who they overtook at the summit in April this year. In all, Argentina won ten of their 15 games in 2016, losing three and drawing twice.

The regional shaping of the ranking’s top 50 has taken on a different slant compared to this time last year. Asia has increased its standing with four teams now in the top 50, three more than last year.

Europe has 28 (minus one from last year), Africa has seven (minus one), and CONCACAF has three (minus one). South America retains its standing as the world’s proportional heavyweights with 80 per cent of CONMEBOL teams in the top 50. There are eight South American teams in the top 50, the same number as in December last year.

Happiness... Saido Mane and Senegal end 2016 on top of Africa
Africa Top 20 (world ranking in brackets):
1 Senegal (33)
2 Ivory Coast (34)
3 Tunisia (35)
4 Egypt (36)
5 Algeria (38)
6 Democratic Republic of Congo (48)
7 Burkina Faso (50)
8 Nigeria (51)
9 Ghana (53)
10 Morocco (57)
11 Mali (60)
12 South Africa (60)
13 Cameroon (65)
14 Benin (66)
15 Guinea-Bissau (68)
16 Guinea (69)
17 Congo Brazzaville (70)
18 Uganda (72)
19 Cape Verde (80)
20 Libya (85)

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Three things for Matete to tackle at Matlama

A struggle ahead for Matlama in 2017 to regain top form...
Last week Tuesday Seephephe “Mochini” Matete was confirmed as Matlama’s latest coach. Matete’s first game in charge of Tse Putsoa will be on January 7 when Matlama host Bantu at Setsoto Stadium in the Vodacom Premier League.

The former Lesotho caretaker boss has penned an 18-month contract which will start in January.

Upon signing with the club, Matlama said Matete’s mandate for the rest of the season is to win the LNIG Top 8 title and secure a top four finish. Tse Putsoa added that when the 2017/18 season begins, they expect Matete to lead a challenge for the league title.

Matlama, of course, are without silverware since winning the league in 2010. Nevertheless, Matete said he will not make any radical changes. “I’m not here to teach Matlama players, they already know how to play football but the players have to know that they win as a team and they lose as a team.” Matete said

But, as Matete acknowledged, these are tough times for Lesotho’s most successful club and one-time pride of Maseru. “The city is no longer a happy place for its residents anymore, and I am determined to address the situation,” he said

Addressing the situation will require some work. Here are three things that will be on Matete’s to-do list from the get-go.

Restore confidence
One thing Matete has been known for throughout his coaching career is instilling confidence in players and wanting his teams to play an imposing style of football.  After starting this season well Matlama’s confidence is at a low. Their title challenge has fallen apart and they were outplayed against Sky Battalion in their last game of the first round in a 2-1 loss.

Overall, Matlama have just one win from their last five games. Tse Putsoa have slipped to seventh place, seven points off fourth place and 10 points behind league leaders Bantu.

Matlama’s last five results
Sky Battalion 2-1 Matlama (December 3)
Matlama 1-1 Kick4Life (November 26)
Matlama 3-0 Rovers (November 20)
Matlama 1-1 Sundawana (November 17)
Lioli 3-0 Matlama (November 6)

Clearly, then, one of the first things Matete has to do is restore confidence to a squad that still overflows with top talent.

This Matlama squad still has the same players that took the league by storm last season and finished just a point behind Lioli in the title race. The only difference lately is they are low on confidence and playing below their potential.

Last year, Jane Thaba-Ntšo and Motebang Sera were the most dangerous duo in the league. Thaba-Ntšo scored 13 league goals and Sera struck 14 as Matlama led the scoring charts with 46 goals. Behind them Mabuti Potloane, Phafa Tšosane, and Kefuoe Mahula were a well-oil machine that made Tse Putsoa the hottest ticket in town once again. Matete’s challenge is to get his stars and talented squad believing once more.

A talented squad needs a confidence boost
Combine youth with experience
Matete has a good track record of coaching young players. Most famously he was coach when Lesotho made it to the African Youth Under-20 Championship held in Benin in 2005. It is true that Matete was in charge of a golden generation of talent that included the likes of Bokang Mothoana, Dlomo Monapathi and Neo Makama, but he got the best out of the players.

The same side also made the final of the 2005 COSAFA Under-20 Championships which remains the closest Lesotho has come to winning the regional junior crown.

Matlama have one of the youngest teams in the league. But, while their talent is unquestioned, Matlama have shown signs of cracking under pressure this season.

Addressing the situation may mean introducing one or two experienced faces to mesh with Matlama’s youthful talents. Whether Matete will find these players from within his squad or the transfer market remains to be seen. If Tse Putsoa can find the right balance, Matete’s skill with youth players will make them dangerous.

Get the best from his midfield
Last season Matlama’s biggest strength was without doubt their midfield. The emergence of Mahula strengthened what was already an impressive collection of midfield talent.

Mahula, long touted as a future prospect, thrived last season and took his game to greater heights. Deployed in a deeper role, Mahula was the perfect foil for playmakers Tšosane and Potloane to control the tempo of games and create chances with their slick passes.

However, this season there hasn’t been the same fluency and consistency in selection. For example, against Sky Battalion, Potloane was played on the wing and he was not the same force. 

If Matlama are to dominate games again they have to get the best out of their highly talented midfield. For Matete that will mean finding formations and tactics that will once again get the best out of their talents. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Lioli to face Zimbabwe's CAPS United in 2017 CAF Champions League

Lioli's reward for winning the Vodacom Premier League is CAPS United
and possibly TP Mazembe...
Lesotho champions Lioli have been drawn against Zimbabwe’s CAPS United in the preliminary round of the 2017 CAF Champions League. The draw was conducted on Wednesday.

Lioli will host the first leg on the weekend of February 10/11/12 and the return game will be played the following weekend.

CAPS United have faced Lesotho opposition before. In 2005, they beat LDF 8-4 on aggregate at the same stage. CAPS won the first leg 4-1 in Zimbabwe before winning the return at Setsoto Stadium 4-3.

If Lioli manage to navigate their way past the Zimbabwe champions they will face African giants TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first round. The five-time champions most recently won the competition in 2015 and are the current holders of the CAF Confederation Cup which they won in November.

The potential mouth-watering tie against TP Mazembe would be Lioli’s final hurdle to the lucrative group stage because from 2017 the round robin phase will feature 16 teams instead of eight as was the case in previous years.

There is a huge incentive for Lioli and the rest of the clubs that will take part in the 2017 CAF Champions League.

The first prize has been increased by 66.6 percent to US$2.5 million.

The runners-up will receive $1.25 million, the semi-finalists $875,000 and the quarter-finalists $650,000.

Meanwhile, just reaching the group stage will guarantee clubs $550,000, which would roughly be M7.6 million for Lioli. Tse Nala will be looking to be the first Lesotho club to progress past the preliminary stage of the CAF Champions League since 2001 when LDF beat Botswana’s Mogoditshane Fighters 1-0 on aggregate.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Matlama considering legal action against points deduction

Matlama considering legal action...
Vodacom Premier League giants Matlama say they are considering further action after the league rejected their appeal to have their points deduction overturned.

Tse Putsoa were docked three points and three goals after Matlama fans caused a league match against Lioli at Setsoto Stadium in November to be abandoned.

Lioli were leading 2-1 with three minutes left when Matlama fans stormed the field and tried to attack the match referee. The violent clashes between the two sets of fans ensued after the game resulting in the tragic death of Matlama fan Realeboha Molise Tsatsi after he was shot. The club was also fined M10 000 and ordered to play one match behind closed doors.

Matlama complained at being docked three points and three goals and three weeks ago they launched an appeal against the punishment. However, after a hearing on December 9, the league only restored three goals to Matlama’s tally.

Matlama secretary general Thabo Nkhahle said Tse Putsoa are consulting with their legal team to see if there are any further steps they can take to have their points deduction reversed.

As things stand, the three goals returned to Matlama do not change their league position.

Tse Putsoa, who last won the title in 2010, remain seventh in the Vodacom Premier League with 17 points. The record ten time champions are ten points adrift of league leaders Bantu and their title challenge already appears to be in tatters.

Monday, December 19, 2016

All eyes on CAF Champions League draw

Lioli will know their CAF Champions League fate on Wednesday
All eyes this week will be on Wednesday’s 2017 CAF Champions League draw. The draw will reveal Lioli’s path to the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.

Tse Nala will be hoping for a good draw because this year two wins would be enough to reach the lucrative group stage as a result of changes to the tournament’s format.

From 2017, the Champions League group stage will be contested by 16 teams instead of eight.

The changes, which will apply to both the Champions League and Confederation Cup tournaments, were announced in May by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a meeting at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Until now both competitions have featured eight teams in two groups of four teams.

Instead, “after the preliminary round, 32 teams will qualify for the last 16 round in both competitions. The winners of the last 16 round in the CAF Champions League, will after the drawing of lots, be divided into four groups of four teams each,” CAF said.

Lioli will be making their third appearance in four years in the competition.

In 2014, Tse Nala lost 3-2 on aggregate to Angola’s Primiero de Agosto while this year they succumbed on away goals to Vital’O of Burundi after a 2-2 aggregate score.

Both defeats came in the preliminary round and on both occasions Lioli could count themselves unlucky after being let down by the smallest of margins.

The champions, therefore, will be looking to use the experience gained from those outings to finally win a Champions League tie when the competition kicks off on the weekend of February 10. No Lesotho club has achieved the feat since 2001 when LDF beat Botswana’s Mogoditshane Fighters 1-0 on aggregate in the preliminary round to the reach the first round.

If Lioli were to win their preliminary round tie their final hurdle to the group stage would be the first round which will be played in March.

Lioli would then be able to look forward to potential money-spinning games against African titans Mamelodi Sundowns, TP Mazembe or Al Ahly if Tse Nala were to be drawn in their groups.

2017 CAF Champions League format:
Phase
Round
First leg
Second leg
Qualifying
Preliminary round
10–12 February 2017
17–19 February 2017

First round
10–12 March 2017
17–19 March 2017
Group stage
Matchday 1
12–14 May 2017
23–24 May 2017
2–4 June 2017
20–21 June 2017
31 June–2 July 2017
7–9 July 2017

Matchday 2

Matchday 3

Matchday 4

Matchday 5

Matchday 6
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals
8–10 September 2017
15–17 September 2017

Semi-finals
29 September–1 October 2017
13–15 October 2017

Final
27–29 October 2017
3–5 November 2017

Philip Chiyangwa elected as new COSAFA president

Philip Chiyangwa, left, has replaced Suketu Patel, centre, as COSAFA president
Philip Chiyangwa has been elected as president of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) after he stood unopposed at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting at Sun City, South Africa on Saturday.

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president takes over from Suketu Patel, who elected not to stand after completing two terms in office.

The other contender for the role of COSAFA president, Danny Jordaan from the South African Football Association, withdrew before the vote.

Chiyangwa expressed his delight at having received the support of the region, who unanimously welcomed his appointment, saying he was “happy and humbled” to lead.

Frans Mbidi of Namibia was voted in as vice-president for the next five years.

A vote was also taken for the five additional individuals to make up the executive committee in their role as ordinary members. The successful candidates were General Pedro Neto (Angola), Andrew Kamanga (Zambia), Sameer Sobha (Mauritius), Alberto Simanga (Mozambique) and Walter Nyamilandu-Manda (Malawi), who has served as an ordinary member on the outgoing executive.

Jordaan, David Fani (Botswana) and Mclean Letshwidi (Botswana) withdrew from the vote for ordinary members.

Departing president Patel said he believed he had completed his mission to help develop football in the COSAFA region and it was now time to pass on the baton.

“When I took over the presidency 10 years ago, development was the objective and we have achieved that,” Patel said. “It is important to know when one has done his job and leave with dignity.

“Back then we had one tournament, our senior challenge, but this year we have hosted five events across the age-groups in men’s and women’s football.

“It has always been our objective that young players’ first exposure to international football is in our region. I hope that legacy will continue.

“We have great sponsors in place and these relationships now need to be nurtured. We have built a credible institution that is accountable to its members. COSAFA is perceived to be the premier region in the CAF family.”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Zambia crowned 2016 COSAFA Under-20 champions

Under-20 champions of Southern Africa - Zambia
Zambia have been crowned champions of the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships after defeating South Africa 2-1 in the final at the Moruleng Stadium on Friday evening.

The Young Chipolopolo were deserved winners of the tournament and they claimed an 11th regional Undder-20 title thanks to goals either side of halftime from Kenneth Kalunga and Boyd Musonda.

South Africa had levelled the scores through Kabelo Seriba but the hosts were largely outplayed and relinquished the title they won three years ago in Lesotho.   

Zambia were the stronger team in the first half and would have been disappointed to go into the break level at 1-1.

They took the lead in the eighth minute after a period of concerted pressure when Kalunga ghosted into the box unmarked to fire the Young Chipolopolo ahead.

Happy times... the Young Chipolopolo
Kalunga almost made it 2-0 shortly afterwards but saw his goal-bound effort blocked by South African captain Tercious Malepe.

An over-run home side made a switch on the half-hour mark bringing on Shane Saralina to replace Nkosingiphile Ngcobo in an attempt to bring more solidity on the pitch. The change worked. Amajita were level on 41 minutes when Luther Singh’s freekick struck the crossbar and, with Zambia goalkeeper Mangani Banda unable to clear adequately, Seriba crashed home the rebound.

South Africa could have taken the lead early 10 minutes into the second half when Singh almost found a way through only to be denied by a fine stop from Banda. Zambia also had their chances with forward Patson Daka having two efforts well saved by Sanele Tshabalala in the hosts’ goals.

Zambia did grab their winner five minutes from time when Musonda turned the ball home and the Young Chipolopolo were able to hold on for a deserved victory. 

Earlier in the day in the bronze-medal match, the Democratic Republic of Congo also had something to celebrate as they took home the bronze medal with a penalty shoot-out victory over Angola.

DR Congo took the lead after Angola fullback Pedro Alves put the ball into his own net but they were pegged back as Zinadine Catraio equalised from the penalty spot. DR Congo, however, held their nerve to win the penalty shootout and claim third place.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Premier League releases second round fixtures

Mabuti Potloane (right) and Matlama will open the 2017
league action against Bantu on January 7
The Premier League has released the fixture list for the second round of the Vodacom Premier League season. The action will resume on January 7 with a mouth-watering clash between Matlama and Bantu at Setsoto Stadium.

The match, which will be Seephephe Matete’s first in charge of Tse Putsoa, was supposed to be played in September but was postponed because Setsoto was unavailable at the time.

Matlama v Bantu will officially end the first round of the season as it was the only leftover game.

The following week the second round will kick off with all 14 teams in action. Matlama will face another difficult test against fifth-placed LMPS on January 15 while in another interesting tie on the same day, two teams on impressive unbeaten runs will meet when Sundawana host Sky Battalion at the Maputsoe DiFA Stadium.

Sundawana have not lost since October 8, run of eight games. Sky Battalion, on the other hand, are unbeaten since October 15, a run of six games.

All eyes will be on the title race, however.

Bantu currently lead the table by a point ahead of Lioli and Kick4Life in what may turn out to be a three-horse race.

The sides are not scheduled to meet until March when Lioli will play Kick4Life on March 5 before facing Bantu the following weekend. Both matches will be at Setsoto. In an interesting outcome of the schedule, Bantu will meet Kick4Life on May 6 on the final day of the season perhaps with the title on the line.

Other notable dates are Linare against Bantu on February 18, Bantu versus Matlama on February 11 and Matlama against Lioli on April 22.

The fixture has also revealed the schedule for this season’s LNIG Top 8 competition. The tournament, featuring last season’s top eight, will start on the weekend of February 4 and 5 with the first legs of the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal second legs will be played on February 25 and 26.

The semi-finals and finals will then be held on April 8 and 9 at Setsoto Stadium. Lioli are the holders of the LNIG Top 8.

Vodacom Premier League Second Round:

JANUARY

Saturday 7th January 
Matlama v Bantu (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)

Saturday 14th January           
LCS v Linare (15:00, LCS)   
Liphakoe v Rovers (15:00, Quthing) 
Butha-Buthe Warriors v Kick4Life (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)        
Sunday 15th January
Sundawana v Sky Battalion (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Lioli v LDF (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)
LMPS v Matlama (15:00, PTC)
Bantu v Likhopo (15:00, Mafeteng)

Nkoto Masoabi and Kick4Life will meet Lioli again on March 5...
Saturday 21st January
Linare v Lioli (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Kick4Life v Sundawana (15:00, Maseru)      
Sky Battalion v LCS (15:00, Maseru)
Butha-Buthe Warriors v Bantu (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)   
Sunday 22nd January
LDF v Rovers (15:00, Ratjomose)     
Likhopo v LMPS (15:00, LCS)         
Matlama v Liphakoe (15:00, Maseru)

Saturday 28th January           
LMPS v Lioli (15:00, PTC)
Rovers v Bantu (15:00, Roma)          
Likhopo v Kick4Life (15:00, Maseru)           
LCS v Liphakoe (15:00, LCS)
Sunday 29th January
Sundawana v LDF (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)          
Matlama v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, Maseru)
Sky Battalion v Linare (15:00, LCS)             

FEBRUARY

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February
L.N.I.G Top 8 quarterfinal first legs

Saturday 11th February
Bantu v Matlama (15:00, Mafeteng) 
Liphakoe v Lioli (15:00, Quthing)
Rovers v LMPS (15:00, Roma)
Sunday 12th February 2017  
LDF v LCS (15:00, Ratjomose)        
Kick4Life v Sky Battalion (15:00, Maseru)  
Likhopo v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, LCS)        
Linare v Sundawana (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)

Saturday 17th February
LDF v LMPS (15:00, Ratjomose)     
Matlama v LCS (15:00, LCS)
Sky Battalion v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, Maseru)       
Sunday 18th February
Linare v Bantu (15:00 , Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Kick4Life v Liphakoe (15:00, Maseru)
Lioli v Rovers (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)
Likhopo v Sundawana (15:00, Maseru)

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February
L.N.I.G Top 8 Cup quarterfinal second legs

MARCH

Saturday 4th March   
Sundawana v Matlama (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Bantu v LDF (15:00, Mafeteng)
Rovers v LCS (15:00, Roma)
Sunday 5th March
Lioli v Kick4Life (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)
LMPS Liphakoe (15:00, PTC)
Sky Battalion v Likhopo (15:00, Maseru)
Butha-Buthe Warriors v Linare (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)  

Saturday 11th March
Rovers v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, Roma)        
Linare v Kick4Life (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)         
Matlama v Likhopo (15:00, Maseru) 
Sunday 12th March
LCS v LMPS (15:00, LCS)   
Bantu v Lioli (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)         
Liphakoe v Sundawana (15:00, Quthing)
LDF v Sky Battalion (15:00, Ratjomose)

Saturday 18th March
LMPS v Bantu (15:00, PTC) 
Kick4Life v LCS (15:00, LCS)         
Butha-Buthe Warriors v Liphakoe (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)          
Sunday 19th March
Likhopo v LDF (15:00, Maseru)        
Sky Battalion v Rovers (15:00, Maseru)        
Sundawana v Lioli (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Linare v Matlama (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)

Saturday 25th March
Lioli v LCS (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)
Matlama v Sky Battalion (15:00, Maseru)     
Linare v Likhopo (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
LMPS v Kick4Life (15:00, PTC)      
Sunday 26th March
Bantu v Liphakoe (15:00, Mafeteng)
Sundawana v Rovers (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Butha-Buthe Warriors v LDF (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)     

APRIL

Saturday 1st April
LCS v Bantu (15:00, LCS)
LMPS v Sundawana (15:00, PTC)
Liphakoe v Sky Battalion (15:00, Quthing)  
Sunday 2nd April
Lioli v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)       
Rovers v Likhopo (15:00, Roma)
Kick4Life v Matlama (15:00, Maseru)
LDF v Linare (15:00, Ratjomose)

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th April
L.N.I.G Top 8 Cup semi-finals and final

Saturday 22nd April
Kick4Life v Rovers (15:00, Maseru)
Liphakoe v LDF (15:00, Quthing)
Matlama v Lioli (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)
Sunday 23rd April
LMPS v Linare (15:00, PTC)
LCS v Likhopo (15:00, LCS)
Bantu v Sky Battalion (15:00, Mafeteng)
Sundawana v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)

Saturday 29th April
Likhopo v Lioli (15:00, LCS)
Butha-Buthe Warriors v LCS (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
Rovers v Matlama (15:00, Roma)
Sunday 30th April
Sky Battalion v LMPS (15:00, Maseru)
Sundawana v Bantu (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium)
LDF v Kick4Life (15:00, Ratjomose)
Linare v Liphakoe (15:00, Maputsoe DiFA Stadium )

Saturday 6th May      
LMPS v Butha-Buthe Warriors (15:00, PTC)
Bantu v Kick4Life (15:00, Mafeteng )
LCS v Sundawana (15:00, LCS)
LDF v Matlama (15:00, Ratjomose)
Liphakoe v Likhopo (15:00, Quthing)
Lioli v Sky Battalion (15:00, Setsoto Stadium)         
Rovers v Linare (15:00, Roma)