Mikia Kalati
WITH the Vodacom Premier League race shaping up to be a two-horse race between pacesetters Bantu and Lioli, Kick4Life and LCS will battle it out for a third place finish when they clash on Saturday at LCS Ground.
Kick4Life head into the match on the back of successive defeats which have seen them lose ground in the title chase.
On the other hand, LCS collected four points from their last two matches with a win over Rovers and a draw against LMPS during the weekend.
Kick4Life coach Leslie Notši this week told the Lesotho Times that it was important for his side to get back to winning ways as LCS are breathing down their necks in the battle for third spot.
“It is very important to return to winning ways after losing our last two matches,” Notši said, adding, “The losses broke the momentum that we enjoyed going six games without a loss”.
The former Likuena coach said his biggest task to build his charges’ confidence ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
“I have to focus on motivating them to forget about the back to back losses.
“We need to make peace with it because we lost to two quality sides,” he said, adding he expected an equally tough encounter against a “quality LCS side that also has a good technical team”.
He said despite injuries to key players, they still had it all to play for on Saturday.
“Nkoto Masoabi is still working his way back after an injury layoff while Tšeliso Sejake sustained a serious injury against Linare last weekend and Thapelo Tale is a doubt for the weekend’s match.”
Meanwhile, LCS coach Mpitsa Marai praised his charges for improving since the loss to LDF a fortnight ago.
“If you look at our last opponents, they are a very tough side and we have so much rivalry with them. That means we worked hard to get a draw against LMPS.
“Our focus is on improving and being consistent,” he said.
The Masheshena coach said their season had been disrupted by injuries hence their failure to keep up with Bantu and Lioli in the title race.
“We started the campaign on the right track until a number of our senior players sustained long term injuries.
“We had to reshuffle our defence after injuries to our first choice partnership of Poloko Mohale and Leposa Mpaka.
“But it looks like we finally got it right hence the improvement.”
Another interesting Saturday encounter will be at PTC Ground when log leaders Bantu take on LMPS.
A win for A Matšo Matebele will enable them to open an eight point lead as Lioli will only play Sandawana on Sunday.
Butha Buthe Warriors who got their first victory in 20 games last weekend, host Liphakoe at Maputsoe DIFA Ground on Saturday.
On Sunday, there will be a double header at Maputsoe DIFA Ground when Lioli take on Sandawana, while Linare host Matlama.
Weekend fixtures:
Saturday
LMPS v Bantu
Kick4Life v LCS
Butha Buthe Warriors v Liphakoe
Sunday
Sandawana v Lioli
Linare v Matlama
Likhopo v LDF
Sky Battalion v Rover
