Seabata Mahao
Defending Vodacom Premier League (VPL) champions Bantu FC will on Sunday face LDF FC in what is expected to be a feisty encounter despite the latter’s recent struggles.
Sohle Sohle, as LDF is affectionately known, has had a lacklustre start to their 2023/24 season, having lost their two opening games so far.
LDF lost 1-0 to Lioli FC in Teyateyaneng last weekend, and before that they were beatean 2-0 by LMPS FC.
They will therefore be expected to turn up to prove their pedigree as the traditional heavyweights of local football when they line up against the defending champions.
In contrast, the high-flying Bantu has eased into the new season with two wins from their two games against two of premier league’s debutants in LU FC and ACE Maseru FC by 2-1 and 3-1, respectively.
Despite their 100 percent winning start, Bantu’s coach Bob Mafoso feels there is still more work to be done by his charges going forward.
“Despite the win, conceding two goals in our last matches is a concern for me. It is the best defenses that win leagues and cups. So we can’t afford to keep on conceding goals like this,†Mafoso said.
In the rest of the weekend matches, on Saturday Matlama FC will welcome Liphakoe FC at Bambatha; ACE Maseru FC will face CCX FC at Ratjomose Ground; Manonyane FC will host a resurgent Lioli FC side at Nyakosoba Ground, while Linare FC will host Lifofane FC at DIFA Maputsoe Ground.
On Sunday, LMPS will host Lijabatho FC at PTC Ground, Machokha will will square off against Naughty Boys FC at Ratjomose Ground, while LCS FC will host LU at LCS Ground. All the matches are scheduled to start at 15:00 hours.
Last weekend Manonyane edged Naughty Boys 1-0 at Nyakosoba Ground in Maseru while CCX lost 1-2 to Linare at Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC) in Hlotse, Leribe.
Limkokwing University held Machokha to a two-all draw at Bamabatha TÅ¡ita Sports Arena Ground in Maseru.
Matlama overcame Lifofane FC 2-0 at Bamabatha Tšita Sports Arena Ground in Maseru, where Jane Thabants’o and Tsietsi Khooa scored.
Following the match, Matlama’s coach, Halemakale Mahlaha expressed happiness that his players are improving, having kept two clean sheets so far.
“Our plan was to score during the first 10 to 20 minutes of the first half, so that we could keep the possession but they seemed to have more confidence hoofing the ball forward while the space was open in the back but in kthe second half, we were a bit down however we made few changes which made us keep the ball even though we did not reach their box as many times as we wanted.
“I am happy with all the new players as they are helping and contributing more to the team while giving us the depth going forward. We have to make substitutes so that we can give others a chance to play,†Mahlaha stated.
LMPS won 1-0 against Liphakoe, while LCS drew 1-1 with Lijabatho with both matches played at LCS Ground.
So far the VPL log is led by Linare followed by Matlama and Bantu, while LDF, Liphakoe and Naughty Boys are in the relegation zone.
