MASERU — There are many crucial points through the course of a season, and while it may be too early to make predictions Saturday will be a huge marker.
With Lesotho’s top four sides — Lioli, LDF, LCS and LMPS — facing each other, it is a “Super Saturday”.
Lioli welcome LCS to Teyateyaneng while at Ratjomose LDF host LMPS.
The biggest match of the season so far will take place in TY. This is a clash between the winners of the last three championships and two sides fighting for Lesotho’s sole Champions League spot.
Much is riding on the game.
Lioli go into the games without the services of playmaker Bushy Moletsane, due to join Botswana Premier League side Flamengo Santos.
“When I listen to staff and players from other teams they feel that we will be weaker without him,” Lioli coach Mosholi Mokhothu told the Lesotho Times on Monday.
“It is a huge loss to lose someone of his quality but we have players that can replace him.”
After Malebanye Ramoabi’s goal gave Lioli the perfect start against Joy on Sunday the focus now shifts to LCS.
Masheshena lost their first game, 1-0 to Likhopo.
“Its going to be a tough match especially when you consider that they haven’t started well, and for a team like that to lose two in a row doesn’t happen often,” Mokhothu said.
“But we trust our style of play.”
Mokhothu pinpointed a weakness from set pieces by LCS.
“You see a team that doesn’t trust themselves. Their set-piece defending is not what it used to be and it is a weakness we will look to exploit,” Mokhothu said.
“I know the style of LCS very well. They have a squad that has the best players in the country; there is no coach that would not want to coach them. But the problem is getting the combinations right. This week you see one team and the next week you see another.”
For Mokhothu the target is simple.
“The target is that by the end of the first round we should have 11 wins the others can be draws,” Mokhothu said.
Also on Saturday is the small matter of the clash between LDF and LMPS.
LMPS, MGC Supa 8 kings, are genuine title contenders this year and began their season with a 1-0 win over a plucky Majantja.
Elsewhere on Saturday, after their spectacular 3-1 start against Butha-Buthe Roses, Bantu face Lerotholi. Likhopo face new boys Nyenye Rovers at the Central Prisons and there is a Leribe derby in St Monica’s where Mphatlalatsane fresh off a superb 1-0 way win over Linare, face Joy.
But all eyes will be on the super double clash of Lesotho’s top four sides: Lioli’s clash with LCS and LDF against LMPS.
It’s Super Saturday.
