MASERU — Yesteryear champions Majantja have been given a timely boost as they battle to avoid relegation from the Vodacom Premier League.
The Mohale’s Hoek side — 1971 and 1995 top-flight league winners — have been awarded their abandoned match against Swallows on a 3-0 score-line.
It’s the kind of motivation that Majantja needed ahead of what could be their last match in the Premier League at home to Nyenye Rovers on Sunday.
If they win the tie and Swallows lose or draw against Lerotholi, Majantja will survive the cull from the premiership.
Majantja, one of Lesotho’s oldest clubs, were relegated to the first division in 1993 but rebounded to claim their second and last top-flight league title in 1995.
“We have given Majantja three points and three goals,” Premier League communications and marketing manager Lehlohonolo Matlosa told the Lesotho Times this week.
“Swallows have until next Tuesday to appeal.”
The match between Majantja and fellow relegation candidates Swallows was abandoned four minutes from time after a spectator showered assistant referee Moepi Moepi with a liquid suspected to be beer.
Fearing for their safety, the match officials prematurely ended the game with Majantja leading 1-0.
Matlosa said the Premier League had found Swallows guilty of causing the abandonment of the match.
“Swallows failed to demarcate the ground properly and alcohol was allowed into the ground,” he said.
It now means Swallows, who have lost their last three matches, have to win against Lerotholi if they are to safeguard their top-flight status.
Nyenye Rovers on the other hand will be desperate for a win although that too will have to come with a loss for Swallows if they are to remain a Premier league team.
Four teams are being relegated this season as the Premier League moves to trim the league from 16 down to 12 by 2012.
Botha-Bothe Roses and Rovers have already been relegated.
The action on the last day of the season will also be hot at the other end of the table.
With Matlama having clinched the championship last weekend, there is virtually a dog fight for a top-four finish.
Deposed champions Lioli are already assured of finishing second, leaving LMPS, LDF, LCS and Bantu to fight for the other two top-four berths.
Bantu, sixth on 51 points, host third-placed LMPS, 53 points, knowing a win would guarantee them a top-four place.
Simunye need just a point to secure a second successive top-four finish.
The other two sides in contention, LCS and LDF, face off at Ratjomose.
No matter what happens only one of the two sides, both on 52 points, will make it into the top four.
Fifth-placed LDF have to win the state derby because of their poorer goal difference.
Masheshena, in fourth, meanwhile will be guaranteed a top-four place regardless of what happens in Mafeteng if they avoid defeat.
In the other final day matches, Matlama host Joy at Pitso Ground while the league’s basement boys Botha-Bothe Roses and Rovers have a farewell match.
All matches kick off at 2pm.
Weekend fixtures
Bantu vs LMPS (Mafeteng), LDF vs LCS (Ratjomose), Majantja vs ‘Nyenye (Mohale’s Hoek), Likhopo vs Linare (Old Europa), Lioli vs Mphatlalatsane (Hlotse), Botha-Bothe Roses vs Rovers (Butha-Buthe), Matlama vs Joy (Pitso Ground), Lerotholi vs Swallows (Central Prison).
