MASERU — Joy will be looking to maintain their place atop the Vodacom Premier League log when they face Linare on Saturday in what should be a keenly contested Leribe derby. Joy soared to the summit of the league at the weekend after recording an impressive 2 — 0 win over LMPS thanks to goals from Ntoi Lekena and Sekonyela Ntlhokoe. The Sebothoane side have flown under the radar so far this season, and with 14 points from seven games they are one point ahead of champions LCS. Joy venture into the clash against Tse Tala having not tasted defeat on their travels so far this season. Linare for their part go into the game with confidence after a morale-boosting draw away to LDF the last time out.
Tse Tala will also look to the last time the sides met, back in April, when Linare ran out 1 — 0 winners. A win for Tse Tala would also bring the Leribe giants right back into title contention. They are eighth with eight points and a win would move them within three points of Joy. Also on Saturday, third-placed LDF host bottom side Likhopo at Ratjomose. Sohle-Sohle are the last unbeaten side in the league while Likhopo are the only side without a win.
LDF are also unbeaten at Ratjomose since a 1 — 0 reverse to Joy in March while Likhopo’s last win in league football was a 1 — 0 win over Matlama, way back in March. In Saturday’s other match Matlama host Majantja at the Central Prison with both sides fresh off important 1 — 0 victories at the weekend. Matlama beat Likhopo in the Maseru derby while Majantja overcame Maduma. However, both sides remain stuck at the wrong end of the table. Majantja are in the relegation zone with six points while Matlama are just a point and a place above them. On Sunday, LCS will renew their rivalry with Bantu at the Central Prison in what is billed as the match of the weekend. The two sides have met three times in the past two months, with A Matšo Matebele coming out tops in the Independence Cup final and a two-legged Vodacom Soccer Spectacular tie. LCS however go into the encounter after thumping Mpharane Celtics 4 — 1. The champions’ league form at the Central Prison is also imposing. Masheshena have won their two games at home this season by a combined score of 5 — 0 and are unbeaten at their fortress since LDF claimed all three points last December. Bantu are in sixth place with eight points, but the Mafeteng side have only played five matches, the least in the division. Sunday’s match will therefore be a test of their title credentials. In Khukhune fourth-placed Maduma host Lioli looking to bounce back while Tse Nala in seventh will look to kick-start their season under new coach Katiso Mojakhomo. At the PTC Ground LMPS host Mpharane Celtics with both sides aiming to get back to winning ways.
Weekend fixtures
Saturday:
LDF vs Likhopo (Ratjomose)
Matlama vs. Majantja (Central Prison)
Linare vs Joy (Hlotse)
Sunday, 11 December:
Maduma vs Lioli (Khukhune)
LCS vs Bantu (Central Prison)
LMPS vs Mpharane Celtics (PTC Ground
