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Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Talking points from Econet Premier League weekend action

Team on fire... Matlama

This weekend’s round of Econet Premier League action was one of the most thrilling of the season. In fact, with 15 goals scored in five games, it was the most prolific weekend of the campaign. Here are the talking points from what was another fascinating serving of Econet Premiership action.

Matlama show newfound firepower
When Matlama were putting together their impressive revival under Mosito Matela towards the end of the season’s first round, the only thing lacking was the firepower to score goals.

Despite climbing from the bottom half all the way into the top three, Tse Putsoa had only scored 10 goals in their first 11 Econet Premier League games.

The team’s offence, therefore, was one of Matela’s main areas of focus during the December mid-season break and Matlama dipped into the transfer market to add Lesotho internationals Lehlomela Ramabele and Katleho Moleko.

Although both signings are yet to hit top form, they have added competition and options in attack. The league’s return from the mid-season break has coincided with the Pitso Ground side looking more dangerous in the final third. Top strikers Motebang Sera and Nzenze Nkulu are reenergised and Tse Putsoa have scored 11 goals in their last six league games.

Matlama’s last six league games
21/01/18
Matlama
1-0
LDF
W
28/01/18
Liphakoe
1-3
Matlama
W
03/02/18
Matlama
1-1
Linare
D
10/02/18
Sky Battalion
0-2
Matlama
W
18/02/18
Matlama
0-1
Likhopo
L
03/03/18
Lioli
1-4
Matlama
W

The most vivid evidence of Matlama’s improved attack was seen in Saturday’s emphatic win over Lioli as Matela’s side came from a goal down to hammer their rivals 4-1.

Matlama line-up v LCS
1. Kananelo Makhooane
2. Mohai Mohai
3. Nkesi Rankhasa
4. Patrick Nyango
5. Lisema Lebokollane
6. Teboho Lillane
7. Lebajoa Mosehlenyane
8. Mabuti Potloane
9. Phafa Tšosane
10. Nzenze Nkulu
11. Jane Thabantso

Tse Putsoa are up to second place in the league, four points behind leaders Bantu but having played two games more. Clearly, even with their brilliant win over Lioli, winning the league remains a long-shot. But Matlama’s newfound firepower is a big boost for their hopes of finishing in the top two and making some noise in the LNIG Top 8.

Kick4Life back in top four
Striker on fire.. Kick4Life's Nkoto Masoabi
Kick4Life are back in the top four after recovering wobbly start to the season. At the turn of the year Leslie Notši’s side sat seventh in the Econet Premier League having collected just 15 points from their opening 10 games. After the weekend they are fourth with 27 points from 17 games.

Only Bantu have a better record over the past five games.

Form guide – last five games


P
W
D
L
GF
GA
Pts.
1
Bantu
5
4
1
0
13
6
13
2
Kick4Life
5
3
1
1
9
2
10
3
Matlama
5
3
1
1
10
4
10

During that five-game period Kick4Life have only conceded twice. Equally important has been the return to form of Nkoto Masoabi. The Likuena striker has scored five goals in 2018, the most in the league since the turn of the year. Kick4Life are also getting contributions from midfield with Bonang Mohapi, for example, scoring in his last two outings.

If their attack can match up to their defence it makes Kick4Life very tough to beat. Last season when Kick4Life finished in the top four it was viewed as a minor miracle. Now expectations are higher and another top four finish would confirm Kick4Life’s addition into the Lesotho’s elite clubs.

LMPS are silently having a good season
LMPS’s 1-0 win over LDF on Sunday means they are unbeaten in all competitions in 2018. Once again Ntebele Taole – the last man to lead Matlama to a trophy – is working his magic.

LMPS also secretly have one of the most talented squads in the country headlined by a national team worthy backline of Nkau Lerotholi and Basia Makepe and spearheaded by two of Lesotho’s best attacking talents in Tšepo Seturumane and Roboama Koloti.

Defender on fire?... LMPS's Nkau Lerotholi (left)
On Sunday, LMPS handed LDF only their second home loss of the season.

Although they are seventh, Simunye are five points behind fourth-placed Kick4Life with two games in hand which mathematically puts them right in touch of finishing in the top four something LMPS haven’t achieved since the 2009/10 season when they finished third.

The potential top four quest is part of a potentially exciting end to the campaign for Simunye.

Two weeks ago LMPS shocked Lioli in the first leg of the LNIG Top 8 quarterfinals and carry a 1-0 advantage which they will be confident of defending thanks to their good form and Lioli’s woes.

This could still turn into a very good season for LMPS and you wouldn’t bet against Taole leading them to it.

Majantja show they are tough to beat in Mohale’s Hoek
Majantja overran LCS 2-0 on Sunday in a clinical display.

It was another strong performance in Mohale’s Hoek for a Majantja side that has been tough to beat at home this season. Majantja have only lost once in their last five home games.

Majantja’s last five home games
02/12/17
Majantja
2-1
Liphakoe
W
21/01/18
Majantja
1-1
Kick4Life
D
04/02/18
Majantja
0-0
Sky Battalion
D
18/02/18
Majantja
0-1
Lioli
L
04/03/18
Majantja
0-1
LCS
W

Their win over Masheshena came courtesy of a brace from in-form striker Keketso Synders who scored twice to take his tally to three goals in 2018 and it takes the Econet Premier League new boys up to sixth place.

Majantja line-up v LCS
1. Sello Adams
2. Kopano Mohau
3. Liteboho Nkune
4. Tieho Molupe
5. Lepolesa Thabo Tekane
6. Keketso Kofi Tlhaba
7. Joseph Phike
8. Selialia Mohapi
9. Keketso Snyders
10. Kheleli Kheleli
11. Zane Musa

Refreshing rain of goals
Striker catching fire... Matlama's Motebang Sera
This weekend saw fans at all Econet Premiership ground witness goals which is always a good thing.

In total, there were 15 goals scored, 19 if you count the 3-1 lead for Liphakoe over Likhopo on Saturday before their match was called off because of heavy rains.

It was the highest scoring weekend of the season with thrills from Maputsoe to Mohale’s Hoek. It remains to be seen if the uptick in goals will continue as the Econet Premier League season enters crunch time.

Econet Premier League results:
Saturday
Kick4Life 5-0 Sefotha-fotha
Lioli 1-4 Matlama
Likhopo v Liphakoe (game abandoned because of heavy rain with Liphakoe leading 3-1)
Sunday
Sky Battalion 0-2 Linare
LDF 0-1 LMPS
Majantja 2-0 LCS

Econet Premier League standings:


P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts.
1
Bantu
15
11
3
1
30
9
+21
36
2
Matlama
17
9
5
3
21
10
+11
32
3
Lioli
16
8
5
3
23
15
+8
29
4
Kick4Life
17
7
6
4
22
13
+9
27
5
LDF
17
6
7
4
19
15
+4
25
6
Majantja
17
6
5
6
16
16
0
23
7
LMPS
15
6
4
5
16
15
+1
22
8
LCS
16
5
6
5
12
11
+1
21
9
Linare
17
7
3
7
19
22
-3
21
10
Liphakoe
16
6
1
9
15
22
-7
19
11
Sefotha-fotha
16
3
7
6
10
21
-11
16
12
Likhopo
16
3
4
9
11
22
-11
13
13
Sky Battalion
17
0
2
15
4
26
-22
-4
·         Linare docked 3 points for late registration
·         Sky Battalion docked 6 points for late registration

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