Bantu face Masheshena in Vodacom tie

MASERU — Bantu coach Bafokeng Mohapi believes his side remain underdogs going into Saturday’s eagerly awaited Vodacom Soccer Spectacular quarter-final clash against the troubled LCS.
Bantu will face Masheshena, the defending champions, in Butha-Buthe in the first of two fixtures.
The return leg will be played at LCS’s Central Prison ground a fortnight later.
According to Mohapi, LCS are still the favourites although Masheshena have been struggling for form since the start of the season.
LCS problems deepened this week when they fired their coach Katiso Mojakhomo.
“On paper they are the favourites,” Mohapi said.
“If you look at their record and at the players they have then they should be favourites.”
Masheshena’s biggest plus this weekend is that Bantu will host the game in Butha-Buthe — not in front of their fanatical Mafeteng supporters.
The tie will be decided on away goals.
“It is something that doesn’t sit well with us,” Mohapi said.
“We would have liked to play at home because Butha-Buthe is a neutral ground.”
Mohapi said a win would make the work easier for his charges in the second leg.
“What is most important is that we win the game,” he said.
“That will give my side the advantage going into the second leg.
“It doesn’t matter by what margin — 2-0 or 1-0 — but we have to win the game.”
Mohapi said he expected the dismissal of Mojakhomo to play a role in Saturday’s game.
“Now they will try to prove that the manager was not good enough or that he was the reason they were underperforming,” he said.
“It will be a very tough game as a result. All their players will be fired up.”
“It will be an open game,” said Mohapi, who added that Bantu had no injury worries.
“We have proved so far this season that we are a good team.
“On our day we can beat any team.
“It is just down to the chances we create and whether we can take them.”