…as Matlama face Bantu this weekend
Leemisa Thuseho
FOLLOWING his appointment as Matlama interim coach, Thabile Secker faces a huge challenge as he looks to set the tone for his tenure when he faces Bantu in a high-stakes Vodacom Premier League (VPL) clash at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena on Sunday.
This will be Secker’s second match in charge after guiding Tse Putsoa to a convincing 4–1 victory over struggling Manonyane in his debut last Sunday at the same venue.
Secker, who joined Matlama last week to replace the fired Shalane Lehohla, is under immediate pressure to deliver results and steer the team back on track following a shaky start to the season.
Lehohla has since joined Kick4Life as head coach of its women’s football team.
Matlama’s weekend win over Manonyane ended a four-match winless run prior to Secker’s arrival.
Currently sitting seventh on the log with 27 points, Matlama will need an outright win to improve their standings.
While admitting that the clash against Bantu will not be easy, Secker said his team would prepare to fight for maximum points.
“The stakes are high. The three points are needed by both teams,” Secker told the Lesotho Times this week.
“We are still in the title race, just like them.”
Upon his arrival, Secker said one of his key priorities has been boosting the players’ psychological fitness.
The new coach added that he has already identified several critical areas that need improvement if the club is to rediscover its winning ways.
“Despite having won our last match, I am trying to help the players, both individually and as a team, to restore their confidence. Apart from that, there are some critical areas that need to be addressed and we are working on them.
“As coaches, we do things differently and it will take some time for the players to understand how I do things,” Secker said.
Secker is no stranger to Matlama, having previously coached the club to a league title during the 2018/19 season.
He said he is fully aware of what is expected of him, noting that coaching a club of Matlama’s calibre comes with constant pressure.
“With Matlama, whether you are new or not, there is always pressure, and I am aware that Matlama fans want results,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bantu will also be hoping to maintain their improving form after an unconvincing start to the first round of the ongoing 2025/26 VPL campaign.
They have won their last two matches, beating Linare 2–1 and Members 1–0, and have climbed to third place on the standings with 31 points. A win could see them move up to second position, provided second-placed Lifofane drop points when they face Manonyane in Maputsoe on Saturday.
Full weekend fixtures
Saturday
LMPS FC vs Majantja FC – PTC @ 16:00
Lifofane FC vs Manonyane FC – Saxophone Thejane Ground @ 16:00
LDF FC vs Members FC – Ratjomose @ 16:00
LCS FC vs Machokha FC – LCS Grounds @ 16:00
Sunday
Matlama FC vs Bantu FC – Bambatha @ 16:30
Liphakoe FC vs Linare FC – LCS Grounds @ 16:00
Lioli FC vs LU FC – Saxophone Thejane Ground @ 16:00
Maroala FC vs Lijabatho FC – Bambatha @ 14:00
