Seabata Mahao
The Econet Rugby League (ERL) giants, Liqhomane, were defeated 17-10 by Mabote Beavers at Ha-Mabote Ground on Saturday, bringing an end to their winning streak.
This match marked the resumption of the league following the international break, which allowed for the national team’s test matches to take place.
Liqhomane entered the game after securing a win against Maseru Warriors, while Mabote Beavers had defeated Lesotho Rugby Academy. Both teams were eager to reclaim their top spots and push toward the ERL championship.
In the highly anticipated match, it was Mabote Beavers who emerged victorious over the visitors, Liqhomane.
Mabote Beavers’ head coach, Mohlomi Motlatsi, described the match as intense, with Liqhomane showcasing great skill and team spirit.
He noted that their victory was largely due to the mistakes made by Liqhomane, although the match itself was fiercely contested, with both teams fighting for the win.
“We are where we are because of the dedication and hard work of our team. We’ve managed to collect satisfactory points, and we are now in the top position in the league,” said Motlatsi.
Motlatsi also acknowledged that Liqhomane remains one of the strongest teams competing for the top spot. Despite Liqhomane’s earlier dominance, Mabote Beavers were able to pull ahead and claim the win.
In a post-match interview, Liqhomane’s head coach, Maruping Mosoeu, stated that the game was open, with Liqhomane leading the first half. However, Mosoeu attributed the loss to several key mistakes made by his team in the second half.
“We were strong and had the potential to win the game, as we controlled the first half,” Mosoeu said.
“We took the lead by scoring first, but Mabote Beavers caught up with us, took the lead, and ultimately won. We failed to defend our points.”
Mosoeu also emphasised that the international break had a negative impact on his team’s preparations, as some of the players had been called up to the national team, which affected their training sessions.
Weekend Results:
Mabote Beavers 17 – 10 Liqhomane
Mabote Beavers 38 – 0 Liqhomane
