Mikia Kalati
A MOUTHWATERING clash of the titans is in the offing when old foes LDF and Lioli lock horns in an Econet Premier League (EPL) encounter at Ratjomose Barracks on Saturday.
The two sides have won 13 league titles between them, with LDF (on eight titles) having won it more.
Their matches have always been feisty affairs and this one is expected to be no less as both seek to reclaim the title that was won by Bantu last season.
Lioli coach, Halemakale Mahlaha, this week told the Lesotho Times that his side has not yet reached the expected levels, adding, his strikers need to be more efficient in front of goal.
He downplayed his side’s failure to make big-name signings during the off-season, saying he was content with the quality at his disposal.
“We tried to sign a few players but they were over-priced beyond our budget,” Mahlaha said.
“It would have been good to add a few big name players but we still have a competitive team to challenge for honours and with the support of management, anything is possible.”
He said they would still be without star player, Tumelo Khutlang, who has just started rehabilitation after sustaining an injury in the pre-season.
“We will not rush him so that he recovers fully,” Mahlaha said.
For his part, LDF coach Motheo Mohapi said they will treat the game like any other and go all out in search of maximum points.
However, the former Likuena coach bemoaned injuries to key players telling this publication that hitman, Mojela Letsie, who scored 17 goals in the previous campaign was not fully fit.
“He still has a lot of years in him and as a veteran, he is wiser and the pillar of this team when he is in peak physical condition.
“So the fact that he is battling with injuries means that our squad has been weakened.
“But we are ready to fight for the three points come Saturday,” Mohapi said.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Sandawana lock horns with LCS at Maputsoe DIFA Ground, Majantja are away to Sky Battalion and Likhopo take on Kick4Life in the last game of the day.
On Sunday, two of the country oldest clubs Linare and Matlama will go head to head in Maputsoe with both seeking to bounce back from opening day defeats to Majantja and Liphakoe respectively.
The biggest game of Sunday takes place in Quthing where Liphakoe host champions Bantu.
Both teams started the new campaign on a high note with the Quthing outfit shocking Matlama 1-0 last Saturday while A Matšo Matebele handed new boys Sefotha-fotha a 4-0 drubbing.
Tsietsi Motšeare and Lehlohonolo Fothoane grabbed the headlines, scoring on debut for Bantu while Liphakoe proved that they would be hard to beat as was the case in the second round of last season.
Fixtures:
Saturday
LDF v Lioli
Likhopo v Kick4Life
Sky Battalion v Rovers
Sandawana v LCS
Sunday
Linare v Matlama
Liphakoe v Bantu
LMPS v Sefotha-fotha
