Mohloai Mpesi
The Econet Premier League defending champions, Bantu’s, chances of winning the league title back-to-back are said to be slim as the contest closes to the finishing line.
After defeating the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) 2-0 last Sunday in front of a packed Setsoto Stadium, Bantu will meet the Mohale’s Hoek based Majantja.
Majantja on Saturday fell to the second placed Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) after a hard fought 1-0 defeat.
The A Matšo Matebele head coach James Madidilane confirmed that it is hard for his side to win league title back-to-back when the irate Matlama linger its winning streak.
Bantu sits on the third spot in the EPL table with 42 points lagging behind LCS with 45 points, while Matlama leads the pack with 50 points margin.
Madidilane said his side will not throw in the towel until the last minute.
“The league is not in our hands now, but in Matlama’s. We could have been able to defend it if we were in the lead, but we will not give up. We will take one game at a time,†he said.
“If Matlama continues with their winning streak they are going to win it. But, if Matlama loses, we will surely close in and be in a position to compete for the title,†Madidilane added.
“Every game we play we approach with the mentality of acquiring three points and that’s how we are going to approach the Majantja clash,†he said.
Madidilane said he is not expecting a walk in the pack when they meet the relegation threatened Majantja tomorrow saying they expect Majantja to come out guns blazing to escape relegation.
Bantu will face a difficult task of trampling over Lioli which is fighting to book a spot in the Top 4 next weekend.
“It is not going to be easy to sail through; Majantja is going to fight because it will be looking to escape the relegation zone, while Lioli will also be looking to put their feet in the Top 4,†he said.
He further stated that his side had to outsmart the recent Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) Top 8 champions, LDF, on Sunday.
LDF defeated Bantu a fortnight ago at the semi-finals on a penalty shoot-out during the Top 8 competition.
“I am happy because we got what we wanted which was a win and three point. We lost to LDF at Top 8 clash and we made a point that we are going to put more pressure on them,†said Madidilane.
“We spotted their spring points, they defeated us because of strength, but this time around we made a point that we are not going to give them a chance. We had to manage their wings as they were mobile last time. We also had to neutralise Tšepo Toloane who was dangerous on the second balls,†he explained.