MASERU — Matlama might have to wait before they can finally pop the champagne as the new kings of Lesotho football if Lioli beat Linare this weekend.
Tse Putsoa need two points to wrap up the Vodacom Premier League title, but could be confirmed champions without kicking a ball should Lioli lose or draw on Sunday.
Lioli, third on 51 points, can only finish the season on 63 points if they win their remaining four matches.
Matlama, leading the race on 62 points, only need two points from their last three fixtures to wrap up a record ninth title.
Tse Putsoa’s fixture against Joy this weekend has been postponed because they have six players on national duty with the Under-20 side that faces Mozambique in Maputo on Saturday.
The Maseru Glamour Boys could have wrapped up the championship last Sunday had they won against Mphatlalatsane after Lioli, their fierce rivals for the title, had lost 1-0 to Likhopo the previous day.
Matlama were instead held to a goal-less draw by Mphatlalatsane.
A win for Lioli this Sunday will not only further delay the celebrations for Matlama but will set up the season finale when the two giants lock horns in an eagerly awaited match next weekend.
The Premier League has confirmed the match will be played at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena after the football authorities banned Lioli from using Teyateyaneng for their home matches.
The match was originally supposed to be played on April 11.
Meanwhile, Matlama are so sure of their success they have already started preparations for the crowning ceremony.
The team will hold a cleaning campaign in and around Pitso Ground on Saturday before playing a friendly match at the venue in the afternoon.
“Now that we are going to be crowned champions we want the trophy to come to a clean place,” Matlama’s president Ikhetheleng Matabane told the Lesotho Times on Tuesday.
This weekend has seen re-scheduling of the Vodacom Premier League fixtures list.
Bantu will move into a top-four place if they can beat relegated Rovers in Roma.
In Mazenod there is a big relegation fight when Swallows take on Majantja.
Premiership fixtures
Saturday:
Rovers vs Bantu (Roma), Swallows vs Majantja (Mazenod), Nyenye Rovers vs LDF (Maputsoe).
Sunday:
Linare vs Lioli (Hlotse), Mphatlalatsane vs Botha-Bothe Roses (St Monicas), LMPS vs Lerotholi (Old Europa).
