Mikia Kalati
STRUGGLING Likhopo have vowed to give Matlama a run for their money when the two teams face-off in a must-win Vodacom Premier League match for either side at LCS Ground on Saturday.
Maximum points for Likhopo could see them move out of the bottom two for the first time this season, providing Rovers fail to win against Butha Buthe Rovers on the same day.
A win for Matlama could see the country’s most successful side jumping to position 5 from 7.
Matlama head into the encounter fresh from dispatching Sandawana 4-2 but they have struggled for consistency this season.
Tse Putsoa coach Seephephe Matete said a win would help build momentum.
“This is a very important game for us and we need to be consistent,” Matete said, adding back to back victories were necessary for progress.
He however said his side would be wary of their opponents because “a team fighting for relegation will come with everything to win the match making them very dangerous to play against”.
Regarding their recent struggles, Matete said it was always going to take time for him to get things right after taking over the reins at the club before the start of the second round of the season.
“I knew it would take time to get things right after taking over at the club.
“So in as much as I’m happy that we won last weekend, you never stop working hard at training to improve especially getting the goals which has been a problem for us.
Meanwhile, Likhopo coach Tšeliso Mofolo promised “blood and sweat” as his charges would playing for the premier league lives.
“Winning on Saturday means everything to us because we only need a point to be out of the bottom two,” Mofolo said.
“We want to move out of the relegation zone and our recent results have given us hope,” he said.
He said the recent improved performances bore testimony to the fact that the players were beginning to gel.
“It’s a team full of youngsters who needed time to improve and get used to the big stage of premier league football.
“Se we are going to fight for the three points to make it easy for us to survive because I’m confident we have what it takes to beat the drop,” he said.
In the other Saturday matches Rovers are at home to Butha Buthe Rovers while Linare host Kick4Life at Maputsoe DIFA Ground.
Sunday’s mouth-watering contest will be a top of the table clash between bitter rivals Bantu and Lioli.
A Matšo Matebele top the log standings with 43 points while champions Lioli are second on 41 points with a game in hand.
LCS take on LMPS in another potential thriller while Sandawana will make the long trip from Butha Buthe to take on Liphakoe in Quthing.
The last match of Sunday is between LDF and Sky Battalion at Ratjomose Barracks.
Vodacom Premier League fixtures:
Saturday
Matlama v Likhopo
Linare v Kick4Life
Rovers v Butha Buthe Warriors
Sunday
Bantu v Lioli
LDF v Sky Battalion
LCS v LMPS
Liphakoe v Sandawana
