Bantu players
Mikia Kalati
Bantu coach, Katiso Mojakhomo, has called on his charges to “show character” and quickly bounce back from last weekend’s 0-2 humbling loss to LMPS.
The police outfit showed little respect for the 2013/14 league champions as they scored two unanswered goals at PTC Ground to open their season on a high.
However, A Matšo Matebele get the chance to quickly atone for that defeat when they host LDF at Seeiso Leshoboro Stadium. Mojakhomo admits pressure is already mounting from the team’s demanding supporters hence the need to quickly regroup and win convincingly against the army side.
“We put ourselves under pressure by losing the first match against LMPS, but I’m confident we will bounce back because we have a very good team,” Mojakhomo told the Lesotho Times.
“It will all be about a different approach and mentality against LDF on Saturday as we were very poor last weekend especially in the first half of the match.”
Mojakhomo further said he was not worried about the pressure that has seen some of the club’s supporters already calling for his head despite his charges only playing one match of the 2015/16 campaign.
“Pressure is part of the game and it is just a matter of knowing how to deal with it. Our supporters should expect a different performance this weekend, and that I can assure them,” said Mojakhomo.
“Sunday’s loss was a wake-up call for us and our players realised their mistakes in that match, which we have got to work on to correct.
“However, the bottom line is it’s not good that we started the season with a loss, but I’m confident we will give a far much better account of ourselves against LDF.”
Another team that has promised to put its disappointing opening day performance behind it is Linare. The Hlotse-based side lost 1-4 to Likhopo last weekend and host Lioli at Maputsoe’s new stadium on Saturday.
According to Linare public relations officer Refiloe Makhobotloane, things did not go well in the opening match and the sooner they are rectified, the better.
“Playing against Lioli is a massive task because they are among the in-form teams in the league after opening their season with a 3-0 win over Sundawana last weekend,” Makhobotloane said.
“We have to be at our best to keep such a good side at bay. Our coaches and the players are working very hard to restore the team’s pride after that humiliating loss to Likhopo.
“After suffering such a defeat, the best way to move forward is by motivating the players so that they can get their confidence back. I believe we will be ready for battle come Saturday,” he said.
Matlama’s Moses Maliehe is another coach who desperately needs a win this weekend after a shock goalless draw against premiership rookies Rovers last Sunday.
“We played against a very motivated Rovers side but that’s a closed chapter now. The target this time around is Kick4Life, although they are not going to be pushovers because of their 1-0 win against LCS last Saturday which has obviously raised morale in camp. This means they are very motivated and we have to dig deep to beat them.
“We just have to work on our finishing because that’s where we were lacking last weekend, while luck was also not on our side,” Maliehe said.
However, Kick4Life coach, Motlalepula Majoro, would be eyeing another upset –this time against a team dear to his heart and where he continues to hold legendary status following years as a player at the club.
Full weekend fixtures
Saturday: Linare v Lioli, Bantu v LDF, Mphatlalatsane v Likila, Rovers v Liphakoe.
Sunday: Kick4Life v Matlama, Sundawana v LCS, Likhopo v LMPS.
