Chris Theko
Premier League title defenders Bantu is hoping to continue where they left off the last time sports activity was happening when they pay visit to army side Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) at the Ratjomose ground tomorrow.
Bantu were meant to have resumed their Vodacom Premier League (VPL) journey away against Linare at the Maputsoe DiFA Stadium last week, but the game was postponed to a later date due to bad weather.
Tomorrow’s encounter will be their first since the resumption of the league after a five months’ break.
However, the same cannot be said about their opponents who have been in action and already tasted victory following their 1-0 victory over Liphakoe a fortnight ago as part of the first round catch up games.
Bantu head coach Bob Mafoso, stated that though lack of game time for his team is one of his biggest worries, he believes the game will be won psychologically more than physically.
“I am a bit worried about the lack of game time that my players have not had which can easily translate into lack of fitness.
“And everyone knows that when a team is not fit enough anything is possible. But, I am confident that my team is capable of a victory because football is not only physical but also mental.
“We are playing against a team that has had game time already and tasted a victory a fortnight ago and that gives them the upper hand over us, although we won’t dwell much on that as we look to get a win,†Mafoso said.
The tie will be played at Ratjomose and is part of the catch up games of the 2020/21 season.
Since the league was suspended, Bantu only lost one key player in their star forward, Litšepe Marebe while being able to retain most of their squad but will still be without star midfielder Lindokuhle Punguloa who is still nursing a hamstring injury.
The teams only had three weeks to prepare for the resumption of the league after it was announced that the 2020/21 season will resume, this Mafoso said was not enough time.
“The time of course was not enough given the lengthy period we took inactive but we have to make do of what we have and forge forward,†he said.
Meanwhile, LDF Communications and Marketing Manager (CMM) Donny Ntakha told this publication that they are on a mission to continue their title chase.
“Our goal has not changed from when the league kicked off to now as it resumed. We are chasing the title and making sure we try by all means to win all our matches,†Ntakha said.
Ntakha stated that all the army side players are available for selection should Coach Motheo Mohapi find them worthy this Saturday.
In other fixtures taking place tomorrow, Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) hosts log leaders Matlama at LCS ground, Swallows welcome Lijabatho while Sefothafotha will be hosting Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS).