Mikia Kalati
KICK4LIFE coach Bob Mafoso has called for consistency from his squad ahead of Saturday’s Econet Premier League clash with Likhopo at LCS Ground.
The Old Europa based outfit wades into battle high on confidence having ended Matlama’s unbeaten run in their last league match a fortnight ago.
Likhopo also head into the match on the back of a 3-1 win over Majantja in their last match.
Mafoso conceded he was worried about his side’s tendency of rise to the occasion when they play the Premier League’s big guns and go on to lose points to bottom of the table teams.
Apart from the victory over Matlama, Kick4Life have also beaten Lioli in their opening game.
“We just need to work on playing for points against all teams instead of just playing well against big teams,” Mafoso said.
“The disadvantage of getting points against the big boys at times is that it brings complacency among the players.
“We are playing against a team with energy, a team that is motivated after their win in the last match and we need to work very hard to get the maximum points.”
Likhopo coach Halemakale Mahlaha on the other hand is happy with the progress that his team has made in recent weeks after a slow start to the campaign.
The Red Army struggled in the opening matches but recently got off the mark and have since registered two victories over Swallows and Majantja.
The club has also been boosted by the renewal of their sponsorship by SBV Services for a further three years.
“We are preparing very well for this game and I think there is a lot of improvement within the team.
“The players are working very hard and are also motivated following the renewal of the sponsorship from SBV, which will help us with some of our needs as a club including soccer boots among others.
“I’m confident the sponsorship will improve the team’s performance on the field of play,” he said.
The Likhopo mentor said he was happy that his side is slowly finding its groove having recently registered their first and second victories of their 2018 campaign.
“We have worked on the problems that we had especially in defence where we were conceding a lot of goals. It has improved a lot.
“We will also be playing against a team that is very motivated having ended Matlama’s unbeaten run with a convincing win. But we will have a plan for them so that at the end of the day we get a positive result.
“They are also not far ahead us in the league and a win can see overtaking them,” Mahlaha said.
Meanwhile, the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) has announced that the much-anticipated clash between Matlama and Bantu has been postponed to give A Matšo Matebele time to focus on their CAF Champions League.
The Mafeteng outfit are away to Township Rollers of Botswana on Tuesday in the preliminary round of the prestigious continental club competition.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Sefotha-fotha host Galaxy at Ratjomse Barracks Ground while Majantja welcome Swallows at Mohale’s Hoek DIFA Ground.
On Sunday, Lioli look to return to winning ways after two defeats in a row when they host Linare on Sunday.
LDF will also be at home to Liphakoe on the same day while LCS look to maintain their place at the top of the table when they make the short trip to PTC Ground to play LMPS.
Econet Premier League fixture
Saturday
Sefotha-fotha v Galaxy
Majantja v Swallows
Kick4Life v Likhopo
Sunday
Lioli v Linare
LDF v Liphakoe
LMPS v LCS
