Lioli Football Club (FC) proved once again why they remain a dominant force in domestic cup competitions, lifting their third consecutive Maluti Mountain Cement (MMC) Top 4 title after their recent hard-fought 1-0 victory over Matlama.
The match, held at a packed venue, had everything from tactical battles to last-minute drama and in the end, it was Lioli’s resilience and championship mentality that made the difference.
Fresh from their recent exit from the CAF inter-club competitions, Lioli came into the MMC tournament with a point to prove.
The final was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to break each other down in the first half. However, ten minutes into the second half, Lioli’s breakthrough came under unusual circumstances. Captain Mafa Moremoholo rose highest to meet a corner kick, heading the ball goalwards.
Matlama’s goalkeeper, Leluma Mofoka, tried to clear it but instead turned it into his own net a cruel twist that would ultimately decide the game and secure Lioli’s remarkable third straight MMC crown.
Matlama fought back strongly, with Jane Thabantšo coming close to levelling the score. But Lioli’s goalkeeper William Huni stood firm, pulling off a spectacular save that kept his team ahead and protected their path to glory.
In the dying moments, Matlama were handed a lifeline with a chance to equalise in stoppage time. But the moment turned controversial when Huni was red-carded for a professional foul, with Matlama awarded a freekick. The incident sparked unrest among Matlama fans, who were expecting their club to be awarded a penalty kick.
For their efforts, Lioli walked away with M125, 000; Matlama walked away with M75, 000, while Semi-finalists Bantu and LDF took home M50, 000 each.
Lioli also confirmed that the prize money would be shared among the players, as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to reward performance and boost morale.
Speaking after the match, Lioli’s head coach Bongani Maseko was full of praise for his squad and the supporters, capping off a sensational start to his tenure that has already yielded three trophies since his arrival during the off-season.
“I am proud of the boys. What we learned in CAF is the importance of taking your chances. We showed that here,” said Maseko.
“This win is for our fans who have stayed loyal throughout the ups and downs. Now, we turn our eyes back to the league and push to return to continental football.”
Maseko’s impact since joining Lioli has been nothing short of extraordinary. The South African tactician has transformed the team into serial cup winners, demonstrating a winning formula in knockout competitions that has now delivered three consecutive tournament victories under his guidance.
While the MMC Top 4 tournament was short and intense, it offered a crucial test ahead of the 2025/26 league season. Lioli’s triumph sent a clear message that under Maseko’s leadership, they have become an unstoppable force in domestic cup football.
On his part, Matlama’s head coach, Shalane Lehohla acknowledged the defeat and highlighted areas for improvement.
“In both games against Bantu and Lioli, we gave our opponents too much space. We corrected that later, and it showed in our control of the game. But we need more mental sharpness from the first whistle. This tournament helped us assess where we are, and where we need to go,” Lehohla said.
For Matlama, Bantu, and LDF, the tournament was both a reality check and a preview of the competition to come this season.
Summary
- The match, held at a packed venue, had everything from tactical battles to last-minute drama and in the end, it was Lioli’s resilience and championship mentality that made the difference.
- Speaking after the match, Lioli’s head coach Bongani Maseko was full of praise for his squad and the supporters, capping off a sensational start to his tenure that has already yielded three trophies since his arrival during the off-season.
- For Matlama, Bantu, and LDF, the tournament was both a reality check and a preview of the competition to come this season.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
