Matlama FC, fresh at the top of the Vodacom Premier League (VPL), meet a Lioli FC side that has drawn three matches in a row when the two heavyweights clash at Setsoto Stadium on Saturday at 15:30.
The contrast in form makes this one of the most intriguing editions of a fixture that has defined Lesotho football for decades. Matlama climbed to the summit after beating Linare 2-0.
Lioli, who last won before the international break last month, have not won since, and were held to a 1-1 draw by Manonyane FC last weekend.
Matlama coach Thabile Secker said after the Linare win that his side planned to test the opposition early and adjust as needed. “We had planned to attack them straight up as a way to also see their reaction so that we can implement our Plan B. The strategy worked for us as we secured two goals,” he said.
Lioli will want to arrest a slide of dropped points that has left them chasing the pace in the 2026/27 title race. Matlama, though, know their position is far from secure. Lijabatho and Bantu are pressing hard behind them.
The weekend’s other marquee tie comes on Sunday at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, where Villa host Lijabatho at 13:00, followed by Bantu against Limkokwing at 15:30.
Lijabatho arrive in confident mood. The Morija-based side collected six points and scored five goals against two of Lesotho’s leading clubs in four days, beating Matlama and then Bantu 2-1, with Lehlohonolo Fothoane scoring twice in that win. Villa, the newcomers, were beaten 3-0 by Lifofane last weekend.
Bantu will be desperate to bounce back from that defeat and keep pace with the leaders. At the other end of the table, LMPS have gone seven matches without a win and sit bottom with two points.
They face LDF at Ratjomose Ground on Saturday at 15:00, under caretaker coach Sheli Ramoseka, after the club dismissed head coach Masupha Letsie and his assistant, Mosito Matela. LDF, who beat Mzamane 2-0 last time out, have won only twice in their last seven matches.
Full weekend fixtures
Date Match Venue Kick-off Log positions
Sat Machokha v Manonyane Setsoto Stadium 13:00 [Machokha: ] [Manonyane: ]
Sat Lioli v Matlama Setsoto Stadium 15:30 [Lioli: ] · Matlama: 1st
Sat LDF v LMPS Ratjomose Ground 15:00 [LDF: ] · LMPS: bottom (2 pts)
Sat LCS v Lifofane LCS Ground 15:00 [LCS: ] [Lifofane: ]
Sat Majantja v Mzamane Sebatana Russel Technical Centre 15:00 [Majantja: ] [Mzamane: ]
Sun Villa v Lijabatho Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena 13:00 [Villa: ] [Lijabatho: ]
Sun Bantu v Limkokwing Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena 15:30 [Bantu: ] [Limkokwing: ]
Sun Linare v Members Saxophone Thejane Technical Centre 15:00 [Linare: ] [Members: ]
Summary
- Matlama FC, fresh at the top of the Vodacom Premier League (VPL), meet a Lioli FC side that has drawn three matches in a row when the two heavyweights clash at Setsoto Stadium on Saturday at 15.
- “We had planned to attack them straight up as a way to also see their reaction so that we can implement our Plan B.
- At the other end of the table, LMPS have gone seven matches without a win and sit bottom with two points.
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