"We have too many weapons for LDF" - Matlama

"Weapons"... Matlama

Matlama say they have “too many weapons” for LDF ahead of the teams’ LNIG Top 8 clash on Saturday. Tse Putsoa and Sohle-Sohle meet at the LCS Stadium in the first leg of their anticipated quarterfinal tie.

The two are Lesotho’s most successful clubs; Matlama have won ten league titles while LDF have eight.

However, both clubs have fallen on hard times. Matlama haven’t won a trophy since 2010 while Sohle-Sohle’s drought goes back to 2008.

Matlama are enjoying a promising season, though. After several years on the periphery, Tse Putsoa are performing well under new coach Moses Maliehe. They are second in the league, four points behind Lioli, and are one of the favourites for this year’s LNIG Top 8.

And, speaking ahead of the LDF tie, Matlama’s communications and marketing manager, Tankiso Moletsane, guaranteed Tse Putsoa will continue their good form when they meet the army side.

“We will win simply because we have a stronger squad. We have too many weapons for them,” Moletsane said.

The LDF-Matlama match-up is a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal which Tse Putsoa won. The first leg this time will be played at the LCS Stadium as the second match of a double header.

In the first game of the day, LCS and Likhopo will kick off the tournament at 14:00.

On Sunday, defending champions Bantu begin the defence of their title away to Likila United. The match will be played at the Maputsoe DiFA Stadium.

The two teams met in the league two weeks ago with Bantu 4-1 running out victors. A Matšo Matebele will be hoping to continue their upturn I form since Lepenya Borotho took charge at the beginning of the year.

Bantu, the defending LNIG Top 8 champions

In Sunday’s other quarterfinal, league champions Lioli host Sandawana at Setsoto Stadium. Both teams are in good form. Lioli are top of the league while Sandawana have won seven of their last eight games.

Meanwhile, the Premier League has announced the full schedule for the LNIG Top 8 cup. Despite speculation to the contrary, the format for the semi-finals and final will remain the same.

It was thought the semi-finals would be played outside Maseru for the first time since the LNIG Top 8 was launched in 2014. However, the semis will be played at the national stadium, Setsoto, on April 9 with the final the following at the same venue.

2016 LNIG Top 8 Schedule

JANUARY
Saturday 30th January  2016 (First Leg)
Match	Fixture	Kick-off time	Venue
QF 1	LCS v Likhopo	14:00	LCS
QF 2	LDF v Matlama	16:00	LCS
Sunday 31st January 2016 (First Leg)
QF 3	Lioli v Sandawana	15:00	Setsoto Stadium
QF 4	Likila United v Bantu	15:00	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	Mafeteng
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