Chris Theko
Vodacom Premier League (VPL) defending champions Bantu FC has been dethroned from the protracted seat as possible runners-up for the league title making way for Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) and Lioli to second and third places of the elite league respectively.
The Mafeteng-based side was forced to settle for fourth place following a 1-all draw to fifth-placed army side Lesotho Defense Force in an encounter played at the Maputsoe DiFA ground on Sunday.
While Bantu settled for a draw hence dropped more points, their closest rivals, LCS and Lioli picked valuable points with their respective wins hence their ascension.
Masheshena, as LCS is affectionately known, climbed to second position to unseat Bantu after winning a five-goal thriller against Lijabatho on Saturday by 3-2.
Makara Ntaitsane scored some of the goals to take his tally to 12 in the current campaign placing him in a better stead for contender for the Vodacom Premier League Golden Boot award.
The deadly marksman is battling for the honour with Matlama’s Jane Thabantšo, who is a goal behind him along with club teammate Keketso Snyders in third position with 10 goals.
In the match between Bantu and LDF at Maputsoe DIFA Ground, the army side drew first blood through Lehlohonolo Matsau, but A Matšo Matebele was able to get an equaliser late in the game to salvage a 1-1 draw.
LDF sits just five points behind Bantu and still in the race to finish among the top four teams.
On the other hand, Lioli, beat a consistent police side Lesotho Mounted Police Services by a goal to nil at home in Teyateyaneng on Saturday through a Sihle Maso goal to walk away withmaximum points.
The Teyateyaneng-based outfit is now in third position with 47 points along with second placed LCS though the correctional service side has a better goal difference.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, a revitalised Swallows continued on its positive streak of results as it clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Liphakoe through Mohau Khali on Saturday to boost their survival hopes.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Kick4Life registered a comfortable 2-0 win over CCX through Teboho Montlha and TÅ¡eliso Botsane.
On Sunday, Linare came from behind to salvage a 1-all draw against Sefotha-Fotha, while Likhopo, managed a goal apiece with Manonyane.
The match involving pacesetters, Matlama and Lifofane at LCS ground was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on Sunday.
Tse-Putsoa is at the summit of the Vodacom Premier League standings with 62 points from 24 games played thus far in the campaign, and enjoys a 15-point advantage over LCS and Lioli.
