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LCS blame refs for dismal run

by Lesotho Times
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MASERU — Three-time champions LCS have blamed referees for the team’s worst season in a decade.

For the first time in 10 years, the correctional services side has failed to make it into the top four of the Premier League.

LCS lost 2-1 to LDF in their last game of the season and could only finish fifth, their worst performance in a decade.

Their campaign was blighted by ill-discipline with LCS players competing for red and yellow cards throughout the season.

LCS spokesperson Moseme Moseme says this is the main reason they performed below expectations.

And he accuses match officials of targeting LCS players.

“I am going to say this for the last time because in the next season I will never talk about this issue,” Moseme told the Lesotho Times this week.

“Referees contributed a lot to our current situation because they made it their mission to change our game plan by issuing our players two red cards in every five matches.

“This is the first time in 10 years that we’ve failed to finish among the first four teams in the Premier League and it’s saddening.”

Moseme could not elaborate his allegations.

“There are always ups and downs in life and this experience has taught us to always have a back-up plan just in case, like has happened, referees sabotage us,” he said.

Lesotho Referees Association spokesperson Rethusitsoe Lebaka hit back at LCS, saying there was nothing special about the team.

“What is so special about LCS that we can make it our mission to make sure that they do not make it into the top four?” Lebaka asked.

“We officiate the matches by using only the rules and regulations of refereeing and nothing else matters to us as long as we are within the rules.”

Lebaka said if LCS had any complaints about match officials they should have taken them up with the referees’ association.

“LCS must stop approaching the media over their failures and instead come to our offices so we can discuss this matter officially,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mafa “Ribbo” Ramakau (pictured left) will remain head coach of LCS even though his short-term contract ended last week.

Moseme told the Lesotho Times the former champions had decided to keep Ramakau at the helm of the team.

He could not, however, give details of his contract extension saying it was subject to further discussion by the team’s management.

Ramakau was appointed LCS coach in January after the correctional services side parted ways with Katiso Mojakhomo over the team’s poor run.

Ramakau’s contract was to end on the last day of the season, meaning LCS’s 2-1 defeat to LDF last Sunday was supposed to be his last match.

But Moseme said Ramakau was staying put.

“We had said Ntate Ribbo’s contract with LCS was until the last game of the Premier League but we’ve decided to keep him,” Moseme said this week.

Since taking over the reins at LCS, Ramakau won 10 matches, drew three and lost two.

“His job as LCS head coach is still safe until we reach a (contractual) agreement as LCS management with him,” Moseme said.

“We are yet to sit and discuss the timeframe that we would like him to stay with us as head coach.”

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