Mikia Kalati
LDF coach Motheo Mohapi says the presence of army commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela worked wonders in his team in beating LCS to win the LNIG Top8 on Sunday at Setsoto Stadium.
Sohle-Sohle, as the LDF side is affectionately known, defeated rivals Masheshena 2-1 to end an over a decade long drought by winning the competition that is sponsored by the Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG). They also walked away M100 000 richer.
LDF, who went into the semi-finals as the underdogs against Bantu on Saturday, defeated the Mafeteng side on penalties and gave an inspired performance in the final to get the better of Mpitsa Marai’s LCS. And Mohapi was elated about the win.
“I’m very happy because it’s been a long time without winning a trophy,” Mohapi said.
“I think we last won a trophy in 2008 so, it’s a huge honour to win the trophy.
“The commander has done everything in his power to motivate the team and his presence in the stands motivated the players to go all the way.
“It would have been a shame if we did not win it after the support he gave us.”
Mohapi said they went into the final with a plan which worked to end their long drought for a major trophy.
“We came here with a plan. We wanted to get an early goal which we did. Afterwards, we were able to manage the game by staying behind the ball.
“We used a different approach in the second half and luckily, it worked for us. Tactically we were also very good and knew what we wanted out of the match.
“It was a good performance from the team and we are all happy to have won the trophy,” Mohapi said.
LDF captain Koetle Mohloai echoed the same sentiments and said he is over the moon to have won the trophy at a club that groomed him.
“I came here as an underdog but I have grown in stature working under Ntate Mohapi.
“I’m very excited that after a long, I have helped the team win the trophy. It’s a huge honour,” Mohloai said.
LDF also had a clean sweep in the individual awards as Mohapi walked away with the coach of the tournament while star midfielder Tšepo Toloane was voted the player of the tournament to take home M3000.
Goalkeeper Teboho Ratibisi bagged the Goalkeeper of the tournament and won M2000.
Despite finishing third, the Bantu duo of Lindokuhle Phungulwa and Tsietsi Motšeare also got individuals awards bagging the Goal of the Tournament and the Top Goal-scorer with how many goals. Motšeare netted four goals to walk away with the M3000 prize while Phungulwa’s stunner against Matlama in the bronze medal match won him the Goal of the Tournament and M2000.
Lebalang Mokete took home the Referee of the Tournament award while ‘Mapoho ‘Mapoho walked away with the Assistant Referee of the Tournament with both pocketing M1500.
LNIG Top8 Individual awards
Player of the Tournament
Tšepo Toloane (M3000)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament
Teboho Ratibisi (M2000)
Goal of the Tournament
Lindokuhle Phungulwa (M2000)
Coach of the Tournament
Motheo Mohapi (M3000)
Top Goal-scorer of the Tournament
Tsietsi Motšeare (M3000)
Referee of the Tournament
Lebalang Mokete (M1500)
Assistant referee of the Tournament
‘Mapoho ‘Mapoho (M1500)
