Moorosi Tsiane
WEEKLY, teams prepare for matches depending on their forthcoming opponent.
However, that seems not to be the case with LCS when they clashed with Matlama at the weekend.
Mpitsa Marai’s charges fell 3-1 to Matlama at Setsoto Stadium on …
The weekend loss left Masheshena out of the top four and out of the title race to extend their eight-year trophy drought.
LCS’ poor approach to the Matlama game was the reason for the loss.
Matlama has just nine goals in 15 matches; indicating a solid defence. The centre back pair of Lisema Lebokollane and Stepheng Eyong has proven steady.
Despite having this knowledge, LCS used winger Thabo Seakhoa as a false nine instead of a more attack-minded option of using talisman Keketso Snyders and Mark Tahayim.
LCS’ strengths lie on the wings with Percy Mohami on the right and Refiloe Mothae on the left. Lehlohonolo Lenka and Thetso Phosholi also gives lots of options for them although I am aware Lenka has been inactive for some time now.
The crosses from the said wingers would need strikers to attack the goal and Snyders has done this well. Although he was only signed in January, Tahim also a tough striker.
I failed to understand why the technical team opted for Seakhoa and benched the two strikers against Matlama, a side that has some of the best defenders. I am not taking anything away from Marai but that decision worked against his team.
Seakhoa was just a passenger in the match and for the entire time that he played as a striker, he failed to win a single duel against Matlama’s centre backs.
LCS used to be a force to reckon with, but has been so disappointing lately considering that they have failed to achieve anything apart from a top four finish.
Marai has been head coach of the side for about five seasons now and it is unacceptable that he hasn’t won any official trophy with the talent at his disposal.
Of course, they have reached a few cup finals but they still failed to win them. They have just become a mediocre side.
I respect Marai as a coach and I believe he has the potential to change things at LCS especially because he has a good technical team with former Likhopo coach Shalane Lehohla as his assistant.
The problem doesn’t only lie on the technical team because often you find players lacking the necessary commitment while the management sometimes fails to render the necessary support to the team. It is time the side sits down to map the way forward. The situation cannot continue as is at the moment.
