Mikia Kalati
Nyenye Rovers joined Qoaling Highlanders in relegation from topflight football, as LDF failed to qualify for the Independence Cup for the second season in row.
The army side were beaten to fourth spot by Matlama on the last day of the 2014/15 Vodacom Premier League season last Saturday.
This development meant champions Lioli, runners-up Bantu, third-placed LCS and Tse Putsoa qualified for the Independence tournament, which only involves teams that end the season in the ‘top four’.
Despite thrashing Highlanders 5-0 on a hectic Saturday afternoon, LDF still failed to make it into the elite class of the best four teams of the season because Matlama had a better goal difference.
Matlama beat Nyenye Rovers 2-0 on Saturday to send the Maputsoe-based outfit crashing out of the premier league.
There was relief for Mphatlalatsane as they managed to avoid the drop on the last day of the campaign, thanks to a 2-1 win over Likila United.
However, Likila not only managed to retain their premiership spot but also booked a place in next season’ LNIG Top8 tournament after ending the campaign in 6th place on the 14-team table.
For Linare and LMPS, this will go down as one of their worst campaigns as both failed to qualify for any of next season’s knockout competitions.
In Butha-Buthe, Sundawana were also celebrating after securing a Top8 place in their first season under the ownership of popular traditional healer, Thato ‘Sandawana’ Nkone.
And despite losing 2-1 to LCS last Saturday, Likhopo managed to secure a Top8 spot as they ended the season in seventh place.
Meanwhile, Lioli were handed their fourth league trophy on Saturday, reclaiming the coveted trophy from bitter rivals Bantu.
Tse Nala won the title with a match to spare after a special season in which they only lost one league match. Lioli also won the Independence Cup to make it double delight for the Teyateyaneng-based giants.
Despite losing their league crown, A Matšo Matebele, can still hold their heads high after winning the LNIG Top8 trophy in March.
| No. | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Lioli | 26 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 49 | 7 | 42 | 63 |
| 2 | Bantu | 26 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 45 | 16 | 29 | 56 |
| 3 | LCS | 26 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 31 | 17 | 14 | 47 |
| 4 | Matlama | 26 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 36 | 16 | 20 | 46 |
| 5 | LDF | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 31 | 22 | 9 | 46 |
| 6 | Likila United | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 32 | 27 | 5 | 36 |
| 7 | Likhopo | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 31 | 30 | 1 | 35 |
| 8 | Sundawana | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 24 | 34 | -10 | 29 |
| 9 | LMPS | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 19 | 32 | -13 | 29 |
| 10 | Linare | 26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 28 |
| 11 | Kick4life | 26 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 28 | 31 | -3 | 25 |
| 12 | Mphatlalatsane | 26 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 33 | -15 | 25 |
| 13 | Nyenye Rovers | 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 18 | 37 | -19 | 24 |
| 14 | Q-Highlanders | 26 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 16 | 70 | -54 | 9 |
| CAF Champions League | |||||||||
| Relegation |
